New canal bridge in Mullingar now under discussion

Construction of a new bridge in to Mullingar is currently under discussion, it emerged at the December meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

The revelation came in response to a proposal from Cllr Andrew Duncan seeking that a vehicular and pedestrian bridge be constructed across the Royal Canal from Canal Avenue to the N52.

The written reply to the motion stated that is, in fact, one of the options being assessed by the Active Travel Team as part of the Area Based Transportation Assessment for Mullingar.

Cllr Duncan was pleased at the response: “I’m glad to see that it is being assessed. What’s the likelihood of getting it delivered?” he asked.

He also recalled that when he first suggested the bridge a year ago, he was warned that the engineering aspect would be tricky. Director of services, Deirdre Reilly, said the likelihood of it being delivered would be contingent on obtaining the required funding.

However, she continued, it is one of the options emerging from the Area Based Transportation Assessment, and in her own previous role, on the Canal Avenue regeneration project, she was aware it was viewed as a necessary link.

“I will be advocating for it also,” she assured Cllr Duncan, adding that in the context of the further development of Robinstown and construction of the new swimming pool and sports centre, it seemed like an obvious spot.

Cllr Duncan stated that he believed it would also help ease traffic congestion problems – even to the extent of freeing up traffic movement at the McDonald’s junction by providing an alternative route.