Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 1

Written Answers - Inland Waterways.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

228 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the fact that plans for the reconstructed Moran's Bridge on the Royal Canal at Dublin Road, Mullingar have no provision for pedestrian access under the new bridge; that the other canal bridge has pedestrian access; the canal towpaths in this area are used extensively by pedestrians; that there is no pedestrian filter light on the adjacent main road to facilitate walkers; the reason this footpath was excluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5491/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

In relation to the current work to reconstruct Moran's Bridge, Mullingar, I am advised that as a result of the restricted nature of the site at the bridge, the navigation design parameters (which include a minimum acceptable width of navigation channel, a maximum navigational water level and navigational air draft) had to be reduced to a minimum acceptable standard in order to accommodate the change in the vertical alignment of Bellview Road and Delvin Road. Therefore, due to technical reasons, a pedestrian walkway below the bridge was not feasible and it could not be accommodated. The Deputy may wish to note that, for various reasons, pedestrian walkways do not exist underneath every canal bridge on the Royal Canal.

The provision of a pedestrian filter light on the main road for walkers should be a relatively simple matter and I would expect that the local authority would be prepared to facilitate this proposal.