Approval given for repair works to 19th-century Cork bridge

CORK City Council has been approved to carry out repair works to a 19th-century bridge in Glanmire.

The local authority had lodged an application with An Bord Pleanála in October 2022 seeking permission to carry out works on the Glyntown Bridge on East Cliff Rd.

The proposed works include setting up a temporary site compound, vegetation treatment and root removal, the reinstatement of missing and displaced blockwork, parapet masonry repair works, spandrel repair works, cutwater repairs and repointing works.

Glyntown Bridge, which links the townlands of Ballinglanna and Riverstown, facilitates both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

While the exact date of the construction of the bridge is unknown, it is shown to have been constructed prior to 1829 due to its presence on the Ordnance Survey map of Ireland, which was conducted between 1829 and 1842.

Poor condition

A planning statement prepared by Fehily Timoney and company on behalf of the council outlined the need for the project, stating that repair and rehabilitation works to the bridge were proposed “as the structure of the bridge is considered to be in poor condition as a result of damage to the east cutwater of the south pier, with concrete underpinning, vegetation removal, and masonry repairs required to address further deterioration in the condition and integrity of the bridge”.

In approving the proposed works, An Bord Pleanála said that subject to compliance with the planning conditions, it did not believe the development would have significant negative effects on the environment or the community in the vicinity.

The board also said it considered the development “would not be detrimental to the visual or landscape amenities of the area” and “would not adversely impact on the cultural, archeological and built heritage of the area”.

Conditions

There are six conditions attached to An Bord Pleanála’s approval of the works, including one which states that a construction environmental management plan must be prepared in advance of the commencement of works.