Cllr Maurice Shortall voiced his concerns over Grange Bridge, Ballyragget, at the December meeting of Kilkenny County Council. “There was a total of 20 reported crashes at the notorious bridge during December, which in my opinion is now an accident black spot.” Said Cllr Shortall.
The irony is that funding of €255,000 was secured this year from the NRA to replace the bridge but because of a difficulty with a landowner the money went south to Ferry Mountgarret Bridge. Cllr Shortall was informed that progress had been made towards a resolution and asked the director of services John Mulholland to prioritise the application for funding in 2010. As an interim measure the North Kilkenny public representative called for safety measures to be put in place at the bridge. “There is not one single sign denoting a bridge on either approach. This needs to be addressed and complimented with rumble strips, flashing lights and a temporary speed limit. Let’s not wait until a fatality occurs,” concluded Cllr Shortall.
In response Mr Mulholland said a new application for funding has been sent to the NRA and in the meantime he would examine the interim measures suggested.
