Saunder's Bridge progress delay down to insurance issue
A definite start date for work on the provision of the footbridge at Saunder’s Bridge is still not available – but Westmeath County Council has explained that the delay is down to insurance cover concerns.
A letter setting out the current state of play and explaining the cause of delay has been issued by the council chief executive, Barry Kehoe, to Robert Troy, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance.
Minister Troy had written expressing what he described as “deep concern” over the delay in providing the pedestrian footbridge, which, it is estimated, is to have a total cost of €3.5m.
Mr Kehoe said that the insurance put in place by the contractor appointed to carry out the work has not yet been confirmed as satisfactory by the IPB (Irish Public Bodies).
“As the works are to be carried out over a live railway line, it is essential that appropriate insurance coverage is in place to meet CIÉ/Irish Rail requirements,” Mr Kehoe explained.
Minister Troy wrote to the council that he understood a contractor was to have been appointed in Quarter 4 of 2024 to carry out the work.
“We are now well into Quarter 2 of 2025 and, to date, no works have commenced on site. I would appreciate it if you could confirm the start date for construction and whether all elements of the project are now in order,” he wrote, reminding the council that the project had already suffered several hold-ups due to the need to obtain permissions and agreement from Irish Rail, as well as the need to secure funds.
“This is an extremely busy and hazardous stretch of road used daily by cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. The delivery of this vital piece of infrastructure must be treated as an absolute priority for the safety and benefit of the local community,” he stated.
Mr Kehoe said he understood the minister’s frustration, given that the final orders were executed on February 12.
He explained that the contractor submitted information that had been requested relating to tax compliance, health and safety, and insurance.
“The tax compliance and health and safety requirements were promptly reviewed and verified by our finance and health and safety departments; however, the insurance requirements have not yet been confirmed as satisfactory by IPB,” he said.
“There has been considerable dialogue and communication between WCC, the contractor and IPB over the last fortnight in this regard,” he continued, stating that the most recent request from IPB to the contractor was issued on April 10.
“Once these insurance requirements are confirmed to be in order by IPB, it is our intention to issue the letter of acceptance. We will then be in a position to formally request a commencement date and programme from the contractor,” he stated.
Mr Kehoe went on to say that the council has been in regular contact with the contractor, who has said it is keen to commence works on site as soon as possible.