Historic stonework being recovered

Historic stonework from the damaged parapet of a bridge in Cork city is currently being recovered from the riverbed.

Parliament Bridge suffered some damage when a vehicle struck it in May of this year with city officials giving an update on the work to repair it during Question Time at Monday’s meeting of Cork City Council.

It came after Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy asked for an update on the bridge’s repair.

Edith Roberts, Assistant Director of Services, Infrastructure Development, said: “Following recent vehicular impact, the damaged section of Parliament Bridge has been made safe. The condition of the recovered material will be assessed and a programme for repair will be informed by the outcome of same.”

Structural engineers have also been engaged to assess the damage to the bridge and to assist in the design of the overall remedial works to be undertaken. Details of the planned remedial work and related timeline for completion will be confirmed shortly by the city council.

Ms Roberts explained: “Parliament Bridge is included in the Record of Protected Structures and is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

“All recovered parapet elements will be incorporated to the greatest extent possible in the reinstatement works using conservation best practice methodologies.”