Work on link opening up hidden bridge gains momentum in Tullamore

Clearance work has begun on a new pedestrian link between O'Connor Square and Church Street in Tullamore.

The link will feature an existing but hidden bridge over the Tullamore River which is concealed behind the library in O'Connor Square.

At the October meeting, of Tullamore Municipal District, Senior Executive Officer, Jean Ryan said that site clearance has already taken place and it is being surveyed to prepare a plan for design.

Tobin Consulting Engineers have been appointed to the project which will involve the creation of a public realm, sensory garden and a civic building to use as a remote working hub.

Ms Ryan said the next part of the project is to go to the Part 8 process and public consultation both for the urban garden, the linkage and the working hub.

Should part of the derelict house on Church Street be retained as part of the project? asked Cathaoirleach, Councillor Declan Harvey who also asked if the bridge is safe.

Ms Ryan said Tobin's Engineers are coming up with a number of options and ''yes one of the options was to keep part of the derelict building, but really and truly it is quite derelict and it's not safe. If they came up with a design that would add to the value of the garden we would certainly look at that, but we are developing a number of options,'' she said.

In relation to the safety of the bridge Ms Ryan said she is awaiting a report, ''in general it seems secure but its just ensuring that we can open it up fully to pedestrian traffic over it,'' she said.

Councillor Neil Feighery said, ''the new link from O'Connor Square will really open up the town. The sooner the better,'' he added.

In an article written by Fergal McCabe for Offaly History, he suggested ''the bridge behind the County Library is relatively new but that it is located on an earlier crossing point of the river which existed up to the end of the 17 th. century and which gave direct access from the farming hinterland on the north east to the central marketplace of Tullamore.

If I am right, the long promised and eagerly awaited opening to the public of the ‘Hidden Bridge’ will re-establish part of an ancient route which was once an integral part of the original village of ‘Tullymore’.''