Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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246. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any communication from the Taoiseach or his office regarding the need for funding of a new pedestrian bridge at Ardfinnan, County Tipperary; and if so, the details and dates of such communications. [46087/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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A request was received by my office on 14 September 2021 seeking a briefing note for An Taoiseach outlining the current road traffic system for Ardfinnan bridge along with details of funding options for structural repair works and a new pedestrian bridge. Subsequently, an additional request from the Office of An Taoiseach seeking further information on the topic was received on 20 September 2021. Responses to these requests were provided on 15 September and 27 September 2021 respectively.

The responses outlined the details of the works on the existing Ardfinnan bridge which are being funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA). These include the construction of a permanent footpath on the bridge, a pedestrian crossing on the north side of the bridge to facilitate safe crossing onto the existing Barrack Street footpath, and the installation of traffic-sensor traffic lights on both ends of the bridge which will result in shorter waiting times for motorists and should improve the traffic flow.

The responses also outlined that the NTA are happy to consider any proposal for an additional pedestrian bridge in Ardfinnan, provided that Tipperary County Council submit all necessary economic analyses and any additional required assessments as part of that proposal, as is the case with all capital project applications from local authorities.