The row over the cost of replacing a condemned footbridge linking Main Street, Ballinrobe to the Bower’s Walk, continued at this week’s meeting of the Ballinrobe electoral area committee.
Councillor Damien Ryan reiterated the importance of fast-tracking the process of putting the project out to tender and securing a contractor so the bridge could be open for the summer months.
However, time is running out and the council insisted that due process must be followed. Senior engineer Patsy Burke said it was hoped that tender documents would be ready in a month to six weeks. That would see the end of June approach before a contractor is appointed.
Cllr Ryan, who said two local engineering firms have said they could complete the project at a fraction of the €400,000 being mooted by the council, asked for a copy of the draft final design.
He again stressed his opinion that the estimation outlined by the council was astronomical.
Mr Burke said one design option has been selected as the preferred option and an engineer has been instructed to bring that design to completion.
Cllr Ryan said the whole thing was “driving me mad”. “Why can’t the decision be fast tracked and the whole project expedited?” he asked. He also expressed his reservation about the consultant’s decision to condemn the bridge as unsafe. Mr Burke said he would furnish Cllr Ryan with a copy of the preliminary designs but added that the cost of the project also included lighting and ground works.
“We need closure on this today. It is not rocket science. Two companies have looked at it and the estimate they both gave was a fraction of €400,000. A decision has to be taken today. The figure of €400,000 is nonsense. For that type of estimate you could drive trucks over it. I can’t see anything substantial in the accommodation works,” added an irate Cllr Ryan.
Cllr Patsy O’Brien supported his colleague’s sentiments. “We are frustrated, the public are frustrated and the Community Development Committee are frustrated,” he said. “It leaves us all very powerless,” he added.
Director of services Seamus Granahan said the council would advertise the contract. He said they were obliged to follow a process but agreed that it was essential that the job got done.
