Concerns raised over bridge repair maintenance funding in Tipperary
Councillor Máirín McGrath calls for increased funding for bridge works
Questions were raised at the Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District meeting held on May 25 regarding bridge rehabilitation funding across the district and concerns over the number of structurally vulnerable bridges.
Cllr Máirín McGrath said that from the Department of Transport allocation, which is issued annually in January or February, only a small number of bridge rehabilitation schemes progress each year. With this municipal district there are 457 bridges, typically 15 bridges will be submitted for funding and only two or three will actually be approved for funding annually. Cllr McGrath said that since then, two bridges have developed serious structural issues requiring closures this year.
Speaking to the Tipperary Star, Cllr McGrath stated: “We are never going to catch up on our bridge maintenance if we are using next year's allocation already for two emergency bridges. We are reactive rather than proactive when it comes to our bridge maintenance because the funding is inadequate.”
One of those cases was the bridge at Middlequarter, Newcastle, on the Mellary Road (L-3503), which underwent emergency repairs in April 2026 following an unplanned structural closure. Cllr McGrath said the bridge had been undermined and had previously been flagged to the Department under a funding scheme but was not successful in securing support at the time.
She said temporary access works are now in place, and the bridge was closed for a week before being reopened after works were carried out to stabilise the foundations, as it is a key route between Newcastle and Mellary.
Cllr McGrath also raised concerns about a second bridge in Rehill, which is located down a cul-de-sac serving agricultural land. She said the access remains blocked and while no homes are affected, a number of farmers are impacted during what is now peak silage season. She added that approval has been given to proceed, but funding will come from next year’s allocation.
She also highlighted broader concerns about road funding, referencing the allocation for red roads in the district, which stands at €88,000. She said the amount is not sufficient for the scale of maintenance required, particularly in rural areas where conditions are deteriorating.
In response, District Engineer James Swords said design work for the Newcastle bridge is complete and the project has gone to tender, with a preliminary budget of €20,000 for surveys and temporary stabilisation works.
Mr Swords also said that tender documents for Rehill are nearing completion and that temporary measures are being explored to restore access in the short term. He added that both bridges are expected to progress over the coming months, while acknowledging that reliance on future allocations can create funding challenges. Mr Swords stated: “By the end of the summer I would hope that they’d both be done.”
District engineer James Swords stated: “By the end of the summer I would hope that they’d both be done,” he added.