Failure by local authorities to tackle foliage growth on the historic Ballina-Killaloe bridge means that the councils on both sides of the River Shannon can no longer afford the costs of tackling the problem.The Nenagh Guardian reports today that the councils have allowed growth to become so thick on the beautiful 13 arch structure that they cannot find a suitable contractor to remove the foliage for the amount of money they have set aside for the job. North Tipperary and Clare County Council currently do not have sufficient funds to rid the bridge of tree and plant growth which is growing from the crevices in the walls of the building.
The councils have been debating how to tackle the problem for the past two years but have yet to take any real action to remove the foliage from the crossing, which is classed as a protected structure.
North Tipperary County Council Area Engineer Eoin O' Donoghue revealed on Monday that both councils had received a quotation in excess of €100,000 to remove the foliage. But the councils have each set aside a sum of only €30,000 to undertake the works and have yet to find a suitable contractor – despite a search of close to two years.
