Works on Mayo bridge render it impassible to large vehicles

WORKS on a bridge in the Louisburgh area have made it impassable to buses.

Railings were installed on the bridge at Cregganbaun, resulting in it losing about three and a half foot from its width.

An engineer has met with locals to work to provide a solution, councillors at a Westport-Belmullet Municipal District meeting have been told.

Concern was raised by Councillor Christy Hyland who highlighted the impact on local businesses served by coaches on the Wild Atlantic Way. The local school was also impacted, he said, with schoolchildren having to make a 20 kilometre round trip as their bus couldn't cross the bridge.

It was already a very narrow road and now it had been reduced by a further three and a half foot and coaches could not get through.

Councillor Peter Flynn said he had personally viewed the bridge, which was on a key route locally, and long vehicles could no longer get through it.

He welcomed the confirmation that a solution will be found that deals with safety on the bridge but also keeps it accessible.