COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

That the Chief Executive reports given that Central Government has recently allocated a significant Grant to Fingal County Council for the Silver Bridge, what are the implications for this County in relation to procuring the land on this side of the Bridge (considered premature when I and other members raised it recently) and if any contact has taken place between this County and Fingal as to the scheduling of essential works as per the Feasibility Report and that the matter be discussed.

REPORT:

In early 2021 Fingal County Council made an application to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, for grant assistance under Stream 2 of the Historic Structures Fund 2021. The application was for essential conservation works to protect the Guinness’ Silver’ Bridge which is in Fingal County Council ownership. The proposed works are intended to address stability and will be generally confined to the metal bridge structure and the stone abutment on the northern side.

The application was successful and total grant funding of €140,000 has been offered with remaining funding from Fingal County Council as the owner of the structure.

A conservation design team is expected to be appointed shortly to develop the scheme to tender. Conservation works on the bridge are expected to commence late in 2021 for completion in 2022.

The conservation works are the priority for 2021 and 2022 – the works will not address future connectivity or landownership issues. Discussions have taken place between officials of both authorities and the future potential requires further consideration. The Liffey Valley Management Committee, with elected representatives from both counties, is considered an appropriate forum to allow initial consultations progress.

There are no plans at present to procure lands.