Defects in bridge scupper marina plan

A FAILURE in the opening mechanism of a bridge is blocking access to a multi-million euro marina — backed by state funding.

The Maurice O’Neill Memorial Bridge, which spans Portmagee Channel and links Valentia Island to the mainland, at Portmagee, no longer opens to facilitate sailing boats and other sea traffic because of electrical and mechanical faults.

The difficulties with the Valentia bridge are, in turn, causing problems for a co-ordinated marine leisure tourism business linking Portmagee to Knightstown and also Cahersiveen marina.