COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTON/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Friday, December 18, 2020

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Development SEction: This committee calls on the Chief Executive to act on the findings of the Feasibility Study into the Silver Bridge and that he bring forward a strategic plan for not only safeguarding the Bridge but for the full restoration and that as a first step this Council purchase the land within this County that provides access to the Bridge and further, that an application be made under Tourism for National Funds for the works.

REPORT:

Members received a presentation by CORA Consulting Engineers at the May ACM where the findings of a feasibility study on the Silverbridge at Palmerstown was given.

The presentation highlighted that Fingal County Council is the custodian of the Silverbridge in Palmerstown and the restoration and future use of the bridge is a matter for Fingal County Council, considering health and safety, financial outlay and ultimate use whilst having regard to significant constraints, in terms of structural constraints, landownership and finance.

The conclusion of the presentation was that there was no coherent realisable project into which the bridge could be placed either now or in the near or mid term future from either local authority`s point of view.

Motion 16 of the June 2020 LPF ACM also considered the custody of the Silverbridge and the above position hasn’t changed.

Prior to the current economic and public health crisis Fingal County Council did intend to prepare for the Conservation Contract only for the bridge. This will involve appointment of consultant engineers and tender preparation. A conservation design team is expected to be appointed in Q1 2021 to allow for detail design and tendering the works. Subject to funding, contractor works would commence later in 2021 for completion in 2022.

As indicated above public access to/from the Bridge is comprimised both North and South of the Bridge. Commencing a process of exploring land purchase at the location of the bridge in South Dublin County Council’ administrative area considering the above, and Fingal County Council’s intentions, would be premature at this time.

It is recommended that the matter be considered further by the Liffey Valley Managment Committee as the proposed Fingal Works progress.