Fishery Tower to re-open

Date Published: 27-May-2008

PLAN has been put in place to re-open the Fishery Tower at Wolfe Tone Bridge, which has remained closed for the past 16 months due to safety concerns regarding the access bridge.

The bridge is to be replaced to facilitate the re-opening of the fishery museum before the end of the year, according to Chairperson of Galway Civic Trust, Ms Delo Collier.

The tower, which is the only building of its kind in Ireland, was closed in February 2007 when structural damage was noticed on the bridge following a particularly harsh winter.

Galway Civic Trust, who leases the building from the Western Fisheries Board, contacted engineers and extensive examinations revealed that there has been subsidence, making it unsafe for visitors.

“Safety is paramount,” said Ms Collier, “so closure was unavoidable.”

Plans have now been drawn up for the construction of a replacement bridge and a target has been set for the end of the year. Changing water levels can hamper progress, however, as the structure is completely surrounded on all sides by the River Corrib.

The source of the necessary funding has ………..