Refurbishment works to the Bower’s Walk in Ballinrobe are in jeopardy because a condemned footbridge needs to be rebuilt with the proposed works costing an estimated €400,000.
However local councillors are up in arms over the costings which were presented to them by council officials with the public representatives claiming that the new bridge could be built for as little as €80,000.
Councillor Patsy O’Brien said many private sector workers have expressed an interest in the job and have said they could do it far more cheaply, but he said it was imperative the works were carried out before the summer because the town has been dissected since the original bridge was closed.
Cllr Damian Ryan reiterated these sentiments saying the summer cannot pass without a pedestrian bridge being put in place between the Bower’s Walk and the town centre.
The Ballinrobe Community Development Council also wrote to Cllr Ryan requesting an update on the Bower’s Walk works and asking when the bridge would be replaced.
Senior engineer with Mayo County Council Patsy Burke said the costings included items such as foundations and the approach to the existing ramp or steps, and he said it was a total cost for a completed job. However for the bridge to progress a stay needs to be put on all other expenditure in the area. When the council advertises the tender for the works he said local contractors would be welcome to tender.
Unfortunately there is no Government funding available for such works and money must come from the council’s own resources, the meeting heard. Mr Burke said the council wouldn’t spend one penny more than it has to and assured councillors that it would accept the bottom price. The tender documents are to be ready in two months.
