CONSTRUCTION WORK HAS resumed on the controversial Kilkenny bridge across the River Nore, locals say.
A local protester said that the pile-driving resume today despite the fact that a raft and canoes belonging to protesters are in the river.
She said they have made complaints on health and safety grounds to the relevant authorities.
“People are upset, really really upset,” she said. “We are upset but we remain strong and very happy to be getting sound legal advice [on the situation].”
The Health and Safety Authority told TheJournal.ie that it is aware of the situation and it will be examining the circumstances.
Temporarily suspended
The works had been temporarily suspended after some protesters against the bridge entered the water in canoes last Thursday.
Earlier this week, a man constructed a raft in the river, on which he placed a tent emblazoned with the slogan ‘No CAS’. He has been staying on the rafte on-and-off since then.
CAS is the Kilkenny Central Access Scheme, under which this bridge is being built over the River Nore.
Some residents are protesting because they believe the road will bring more traffic into the centre of the medieval city.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, the man who built the raft said that he is there to “try and stop [construction workers] driving piles into the river and try and stop them building the massive bridge through the medieval heart of Kilkenny”.
Councillors are to meet in September to discuss a review of the CAS.
People opposed to the building of the bridge have been keeping a round-the-clock presence at the banks of the river, with some sleeping in tents there overnight.
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