Closure of bridge will have 'devastating effect' on businesses in Wexford and Kilkenny

Ferrymountgarrett bridge, linking south Kilkenny and south Wexford, is scheduled to close to all traffic from June 24 to August 28 for urgent rehabilitation of an almost 100-year-old structure. The closure is expected to have a devastating effect on businesses on both sides of the River Barrow during the summer period. New Ross Municipal District representatives say they were not warned in advance and were not consulted, despite claims that Kilkenny County Council knew about the works as far back as June 2025. Concerns include increased heavy goods vehicle traffic being diverted to the Glynn to Graiguenamanagh route, which is described as unsuitable. Stakeholders such as Inland Fisheries were reportedly notified a year earlier, and local residents are seeking alternative access options.

"The two-month closure of a bridge connecting south Kilkenny and south Wexford is expected to have a "devastating effect" on businesses on both sides of the river when it begins in June of this year. From June 24 to August 28 the Ferrymountgarrett bridge will be closed to all traffic to allow for urgent rehabilitation works on a structure which is almost 100 years old."

"Speaking at the May meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC), the cathaoirleach of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Councillor John Dwyer expressed his surprise that the bridge was being closed without any prior warning. "The announcement was made by Kilkenny County Council (KCC) almost in secret," said Cllr Dwyer. "We should write to them and ask that they stop messing with a bridge that's ancient, and just build a new bridge there. The economic impact of this is going to be astounding and at the height of the summer too."

""There will also be large heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on the Glynn to Graiguenamanagh route, that road is wholly unsuitable for this kind of traffic. It's incredible to think we in the NRMD were not even consulted. " The conversation continued at the meeting of the NRMD two days later where Cllr Dwyer confirmed that the Inland Fisheries had been notified of the works a year ago."

""This is not something which has arisen in the last couple of weeks," he continued. "KCC was fully aware this was happening and there was zero consultation with other stakeholders." Now that the works are confirmed to be taking place, thoughts have turned to providing at least some access to those who rely on the bridge to get in and out of New Ross. "The locals are asking if a tunnel might be created so"

Read at Irish Independent