Controversial bridge removed after threat of Council action

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – A controversial bridge – installed over Middle River in Newtownsmyth without planning permission – was removed this week, following action taken by the Council to block access to the structure.

The €25,000 footbridge was installed to the rear of the Born store at Abhainn na mBradán by property developer John Curley to provide additional access to the newly-opened Roots Café.

However, following three weeks of ‘back and forth’ between Mr Curley and city planners, the issue came to a head on Monday when the City Council blocked access to the bridge using steel fencing – chaining it to the gates on the lands adjacent to the canal walkway.

A City Council spokesperson confirmed to the Galway City Tribune that the bridge had been removed as of Wednesday “prior to Galway City Council issuing an enforcement order”.
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(Photo: The bridge was removed by the developer after the City Council fenced it off).