FINGAL County Council has been urged to rethink its plan to close the main access bridge into Portmarnock to facilitate repair work.
The council is proposing to close the bridge for at least two weeks from September 12.
However, a local public representative is warning that the closure will cause significant disruption for many residents and business owners.
Fianna Fáil Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee said the bridge is essentially the only viable access route into Portmarnock.
“Residents will be forced to take a long detour to access their homes and people will be unable to reach local businesses,” she said.
“The closure will also make the DART station virtually inaccessible for most Portmarnock residents who rely on the station to commute to work.
“The closure will make it difficult for emergency services to access the village. Parents will also face serious disruption in bringing their children to school in the village.
“The repair works will last at least two weeks, but warnings have been made that the refurbishment could take up to four weeks to complete.”
Senator Clifford-Lee said it was “simply unacceptable” for the main access road into the village to remain closed for such a long period of time without an adequate alternative route being provided.
“Bridge repair works in other areas have been carried out without having to cause as much disruption to local traffic,” she argued.
“For example, it is standard practice to close one lane on a bridge at a time to facilitate works or if this cannot be achieved then a temporary access bridge is put in place.”
Senator Clifford-Lee is calling on the council to engage with local residents and businesses to identify an alternative to the proposed work schedule.
“The possibility of widening the bridge or installing a temporary bridge should be explored,” she added.
A spokeswoman for Fingal County Council told Northside People the replacement of the bridge is necessary because of its current unsatisfactory condition.
The work has been prioritised following an inspection of the 123 bridges across the county for which Fingal is responsible.
The consulting engineers said the “steel deck and steel beams have been badly corroded with signs of water ingress and a vertical crack on the north abutment (substructure at the end of bridge).”
“We are currently liaising with the contractor to see if we can reduce the period of full closure of the bridge, including extended working hours,” said the spokeswoman.
“We are hopeful that a full closure will not be required for the entire four weeks and we will advise as soon as possible when we have definite information.
“All efforts will be made to keep the inconvenience to residents and businesses to a minimum.”
The spokeswoman said pedestrian connectivity between Station Road and Strand Road would be maintained.
“A temporary path and bridge will be provided to the west of the bridge for the duration of the closure,” she said.
“Dublin Bus have been advised of the closure and are examining the implications on the current bus routes.
“In addition, Fingal traffic engineers are working on a traffic management plan for the works which involves consultation with the contractor, An Garda Síochána and Dublin Bus.”
The spokeswoman said emergency services would also be informed of the work schedule.
“Details will be finalised shortly and there will be a publicity campaign, including the use of Variable Message Signs on approach routes, in advance of the closure,” she added.