SDCC working on solution to prevent cars accessing pedestrian bridge
By Mary Dennehy
A PEDESTRIAN bridge damaged last week by a car fire has been deemed safe by South Dublin County Council, which is working on finding a permanent solution to preventing vehicular access to the structure.
Lying at the Kilnamanagh-end of Tymon Park, the footbridge stretches over the M50 at Ballymount/Tymon Park and is a busy pedestrian and cyclist route for people in the local area.
Car on fire on bridge (pic: DFB)
Last Wednesday (February 20), Dublin Fire Brigade was called to the scene at around 10.30pm, after a car was set alight on the bridge.
The lanes directly underneath the bridge were closed by M50 services and the Garda roads unit as a crew from Tallaght Fire Station extinguished the blaze.
South Dublin County Council were on site the following morning examining the damage.
In a comment to The Echo this week, Teresa Walsh Director of Environment, Water and Climate Change, said that the bridge was inspected by engineers.
Firefighters at the scene of the car fire (pic: DFB)
“The structure is safe however, repairs are required where some of the rubber had melted due to the fire”, Ms Walsh said.
“These repairs are being arranged.
“In the meantime boulders have been placed at the entrances to prevent vehicles accessing the bridge.
“A more permanent solution to preventing vehicular access to the bridge is being examined.”
The council has temporarily placed boulders at the entrance to the bridge
When asked how the car got into the park, Ms Walsh said: “I am not aware of how the car accessed the park area in the first instance.”
The bridge has been cleaned and is open to pedestrians.
