11 November 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
- Two halves of village were linked by arched bridge from 1750’s with narrow footpath
- Now there are pedestrian footbridges to adjacent to the vehicular bridge
The much-anticipated pedestrian footbridges in Castlemartyr village have been officially opened. The new footbridges, installed on the South and North side of the existing bridge have a span of 10m and are designed for mixed-use to cater for both cyclists and pedestrians alike.
Fr Frank O’Neill, performs the blessing at the official opening of the new footbridge in Castlemartyr, Co Cork, in association with Cork County Council.
Picture: David Keane.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan along with local councillors, residents and members of the Cobh Animation Team and friends, enjoying the official opening of the new footbridge in Castlemartyr, Co Cork, in association with Cork County Council.
Picture: David Keane.
Ultan Murphy, Castlemartyr Community Council chairman, speaking at the official opening of the new footbridge in Castlemartyr, Co Cork, in association with Cork County Council.
Picture: David Keane.
Sheila Foster, Rose and Barry Cassidy, Mary O’Connor, Mona Kennedy and Irene O’Driscoll, all members of the Cobh Animation Team, looking stylish at the official opening of the new footbridge in Castlemartyr, Co Cork, in association with Cork County Council.
Picture: David Keane.
Donal and Joan White from Castlemartyr, at the official opening of the new footbridge in Castlemartyr, Co Cork, in association with Cork County Council.
Picture: David Keane.The scheme was initiated by the National Roads Office of Cork County Council in response to an infrastructural deficit that was recognised on the existing bridge. Much of the residential areas of the village are on the eastern side of the Kiltha River while services and business centre are on the western side.
The aim of the scheme was to provide a safer crossing point and to promote connectivity within the village and agreement with the landowners affected enabled the project to be completed in a timely fashion.
Feedback to Cork County Council from the public including the Castlemartyr Family Carers and Disability Group highlighted the necessity of the works. David Maddox from the Castlemartyr Family Carers and Disability group commented “Castlemartyr Family Carers and Disability Support and the Community of Castlemartyr thank everyone involved in this project. All the upgrade works now completed here have given many a new found independence with safe access into and out of our village. We thank Cork County Council”
The installation of the bridge is funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and forms part of a larger contract which includes the installation of another pedestrian footbridge over the River Dissour in Killeagh. Cumnor Construction Ltd is the main contractor with Martin O’Callaghan Ltd responsible for all the civils works associated with the bridges in Castlemartyr.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan, welcomed the opening of the Castlemartyr footbridge saying “For a long time in Castlemartyr there have been few safe crossing places on the N25 and this has been coupled with narrow footpaths hindering accessibility for wheelchair users and buggies. With most people living on the Killeagh side of Castlemartyr a lot of residents have not had safe pedestrian access to the village centre. This bridge changes all that and is an invaluable asset to the community and businesses here in Castlemartyr.”