Plan to pedestrianise bridge linking Clare and Tipperary villages is confirmed

The 18th Century Killaloe Bridge which links Killaloe in Clare and Ballina in Tipperary is to be pedestrianised for a trial period later this year, it has been confirmed.

The trial was agreed following a meeting between elected members of Killaloe and Nenagh Municipal Districts and officials from Clare and Tipperary County Councils.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Clare County Council said: "The pedestrianisation trial will start a number of weeks after the opening of the new bridge, which will allow an interim period when both bridges will operate for vehicles."

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The trial, which will be carried out under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, aims to pilot a more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly route on the existing bridge between Killaloe and Ballina.

The trial will also enable further detail and evidence of traffic flows and pedestrian movements between the towns to be gathered, and for the social, economic and tourism benefits to be measured.

The trialled pedestrianisation of the existing bridge linking the two villages follows significant public engagement in Killaloe and Ballina in recent months. 

The exact timeline for the trial will be announced closer to the opening of the new Shannon Bridge Crossing.