Council to repair and revamp historic Cork City bridge damaged in car accident

It is hoped the repairs and upgrade works on Parliament Bridge will begin early in the new year

City officials have decided to undertake a range of upgrades to Parliament Bridge alongside the repairs to its parapet structure, which was partially demolished when a car crashed into it last May. Picture: Dan Linehan

An historic Cork City bridge which was badly damaged in a car crash last summer is set for a major revamp.

City officials have decided to undertake a range of upgrades to Parliament Bridge alongside the repairs to its parapet structure, which was partially demolished when a car crashed into it last May.

It is hoped the repairs and upgrade works will begin early in the new year. The details emerged in a response from City Hall to a written question from Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy.

A car struck the southwestern parapet of the bridge in the early hours of May 15 last. The impact demolished a section of the bridge wall, knocking several large limestone blocks into the river. Luckily, the car did not enter the water.

A man and a woman were taken to hospital for treatment for non life-threatening injuries.

Parliament Bridge is included in the Record of Protected Structures and is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

Gerry O’Beirne, the council’s director of services for infrastructure development, told councillors that given the historic nature of the bridge, organising the repairs has been complex, and required specialist input and assessment.

Parliament Bridge is included in the Record of Protected Structures and is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. File picture: Larry Cummins

He said once the area was made safe, specialist contractors were engaged to retrieve the damaged blocks from the riverbed, which were then assessed by stone conservation specialists.

“This assessment is now complete, and works have commenced on the repair and replacement of damaged or missing parapet elements,” he said.

All the works are being done in accordance with established conservation best practice methods under the supervision of a Grade 1 Conservation Architect, he said. 

Tender documents for the repairs and upgrades should issue in early November, with work starting early in the new year.

The driver’s insurance company will cover the cost of the repairs with officials hopeful of securing additional funding from the Department of Transport.