Ardee footbridge calls grow as bypass may be decades away
Safety concerns raised over narrow riverside walkway
Renewed calls have been made for a new pedestrian footbridge in Ardee, amid growing concern about the safety of an existing narrow walkway used daily by residents and schoolchildren.
The issue was raised at a recent Ardee Municipal District meeting, where councillors highlighted the dangers faced by pedestrians using the current footpath at the entrance to the Riverside Walk, a popular shortcut to a nearby school.
“Very dangerous” for pedestrians and schoolchildren
Cllr Jim Tenanty described the situation as “very dangerous”, warning that the narrowness of the footpath leaves little margin for error.
“They can easily step out onto the road as the footpath is very small,” he said, adding that children in particular are at risk during busy traffic periods.
Cllr Tenanty asked whether high-visibility plastic bollards could be installed to provide a physical barrier between pedestrians and passing vehicles.
Town getting busier, traffic getting heavier
Cathaoirleach Cllr Dolores Minogue echoed those concerns, pointing to increased footfall and traffic volumes in the town.
“The town is getting busier and the traffic is getting heavier,” she said. “Something needs to be done. It’s the only solution.”
Cllr Minogue suggested that the construction of an additional footbridge across the river could significantly improve pedestrian safety while also helping to reduce congestion in the town centre.
Council response and engineering challenges
Senior Engineer with Louth County Council, Mark Johnston, said the installation of plastic bollards could be explored, although the narrow width of the bridge would be a limiting factor.
“We could look at what would fit there, but it is quite narrow,” he told the meeting.
While widening the existing bridge would be beneficial, Mr Johnston cautioned that it would be a major engineering project, involving significant cost and disruption.
Ardee Footbridge cost and funding options
The meeting heard that the council had previously examined the idea of a standalone pedestrian footbridge several years ago. At that time, the estimated cost was around €80,000, a figure Mr Johnston said would now likely be closer to €100,000.
“It was a great idea, but we just couldn’t get any money for it unfortunately,” he explained.
Cllr Tenanty suggested that funding could potentially be sourced through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, urging the council to explore that option.
“Maybe that should be the way to go,” he said.
Ardee Bypass timeline raises concerns
While acknowledging that the proposed Ardee bypass would significantly reduce traffic through the town once completed, councillors warned against relying on it as a short-term solution.
“Waiting on the bypass to be built – that could take twenty years,” Cllr Minogue cautioned.
Council officials confirmed that potential funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme could be examined, offering some hope that a safer pedestrian solution for Ardee could be delivered long before the bypass becomes a reality.ife across mid-Louth.
