Fought for Laois bridge is finally set for repair which will involve closure

A famous bridge in Laois which a community battled to save will have to close for two months so that it can be fixed, according to Laois County Council.

Nearly two years after it emerged that the Woodenbridge near Ballacolla faced demolition, Laois County Council has confirmed a timeframe for the existing structure to be enhanced.

The update was revealed at a recent meeting between county councillors and officials.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, tabled a motion calling for an update on when repair works will start on the Woodenbridge. He said the works are fully supported by all councillors in the area.

Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, replied.

“Laois County Council has designed enhancement measures for Wooden Bridge. These measures will ensure load bearing requirements for the Bridge are fulfilled. 

“The commencement date for the project is likely to be Q1 2024. Implementing the works will require a temporary road closure and that temporary closure will likely be in place for up to 2 months,” he said.

Cllr King welcomed the timeframe for the repair of what he said was an historic bridge which needed to be fixed due to wear and tear.

“I’m glad that work is going to be done..It will be of huge benefit,” he said.

Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, said the local community was right to be proud of the heritage structure.

“There is a lot of heritage and history there,” he said.

Due to the decay of the bridge, Laois County Council originally outlined the prospect of replacing the bridge with a concrete structure.

However, when residents became aware of the prospect a campaign was swiftly mounted with a public protest in March 2022 on the bridge organised to prevent demolition.

Laois County Council subsequently went back to the drawing board which resulted in new designs, approved by councillors, which would retain the wood and steel integrity of the bridge.