It may take two years to repair bridges damaged by Storm Babet in Cork

It is because continuing high river and stream levels have made it almost impossible for engineers to examine the bases of bridges and assess what structural damage may have occurred

Council engineers are still overstretched assessing the extensive damage caused by the violent storm and it is estimated it will cost well in excess of €50m just to repairs roads torn up by it. File picture: David Creedon

It could take up to 2026 before all bridges in county Cork which were washed away or structurally damaged by Storm Babet are either replaced or repaired.

That’s the magnitude of the potential damage caused to bridges, never mind roads, according to Niall Healy, the county council’s director of roads and transportation.