MAYNOOTH 12 January 2002: by Brian Byrne. Waterways Ireland has once more put a halt to the Bond Bridge project, Leixlip Area councillors were told this week. It seems they will now not grant Kildare County Council the necessary Wayleave or Bridge Agreements to allow construction to begin, unless the Council agrees to re-erect the dismantled bridge at a new location at Maynooth Railway Station, replacing the existing footbridge across the canal.

Describing the move as 'outrageous blackmail', Cllr John McGinley said it was 'unbecoming' of a State Body. "Indeed, it is so ludicrous that it is difficult to see how the engineers in Waterways Ireland could go along with it," he commented afterwards. "For instance, Bond Bridge is S shaped and is in effect two bridges, over the canal and railway, and it would not fit at the location proposed by Waterways Ireland.
It wouldalso spoil the vista from the Straffan Road even if it could fit. It would actually be an eyesore at the Harbour.

Cllr McGinley has asked that county manager Niall Bradley seek an immediate meeting with the CEO of Waterways Ireland, and has also asked his colleague Deputy Emmet Stagg to raise this vital safety issue at the highest level in order to get the project back on tracks and so that tenders can issue for the construction of the new Bond Bridge without any further delay.

Cllr Catherine Murphy said afterwards that given there was a serious accident over Christmas at this location, the Committee are 'frustrated' at the lack of progress on this issue.

©2002knn

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