asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware of the very serious hardship caused by the present state of the bridge over the Blackwater at Youghal, and whether in view of the restrictive effect of the present position on fairs and business generally, he will state how far the scheme for the erection of a new bridge has advanced, and whether he will take steps to expedite the erection of this bridge.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Bridge Over the Blackwater.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The existing bridge carries all normal traffic up to a limit of 3½ tons and there should not be any restrictive effect on fairs by reason of the speed limit on the bridge being fixed at five miles per hour. The local authorities for the Counties of Cork and Waterford have adopted a resolution that at least 75 per cent of the cost of the rebuilding of the bridge should be defrayed out of the Road Fund and that the balance of the cost should be levied off these counties, and also the County Boroughs of Cork and Waterford, and, if possible, over a wider area. No consideration could be given to a proportion of the cost amounting to 75 per cent. being met out of the Road Fund. I understand that the county surveyors of the two counties mentioned estimated the cost of erecting a new bridge at £200,000. The matter is, therefore, one that requires careful consideration before any decision can be come to.