OPENED IN 2017 PHOTOGRAPHED IN AUGUST 2018
Despite many protests and legal objections the St Francis Bridge in Kilkenny was opened in 2017 after massive cost overruns.
The bridge was constructed in the centre of the Medieval City of Kilkenny and there were numerous potential sites of archaeological significance in the vicinity of the route. A complex route selection was undertaken along with extensive archaeological testing and investigations to determine a route which traverses mainly derelict industrial sites and avoid where possible known areas of archaeology. Given the sensitive location the bridge is specifically designed to be unobtrusive and indeed when viewed from the focal point of St. John’s bridge the bridge barely features on the horizon, a significant achievement.
One thing that caught my attention was the number Belisha Beacons in Kilkenny especially near this new bridge. Before the law was changed in 2022, Belisha beacons, named after a former UK transport minister, were legally required to be used as part of zebra crossings in Ireland. The change will allow for much cheaper installation of the crossings by reducing the significant cost linked with the supply and installation of the beacons.
It was also was fairly obvious that there was an encampment of homeless people under the bridge I heard a number of claims relating to this during my visit. However, it would appear that there were two homeless families.