Green light for Erriff bridge repairs on N59

MAYO County Council has been given approval by An Bord Pleanála to undertake scour remedial works at the Erriff Bridge on the N59 between Westport and Leenane.

The works will require in-stream works within the Erriff River which is part of the Mweelrea/Sheefry/Erriff SAC, which is a designated European site.

A single span masonry structure over the Owenmore River, an existing concrete invert has broken up and washed away leaving only 2-3m of the existing masonry invert to provide scour protection to the southern abutment of the bridge.

The proposed scour protection works include replacing the existing downstream concrete invert (measuring c.7m x 22m), and replacement of failed existing rock armour.

The local authority say the works were required to protect the structural integrity of the bridge, which carries the N59 national secondary route.

In a submission to the board, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said its primary concern about the rehabilitation works would be the possible interference with Atlantic salmon, sea trout, lamprey and eel movement as well as the possible deterioration in water quality within the Erriff River catchment during and after the construction phase of the development.

The Erriff River is one of the premier salmon fishing rivers in Ireland. For the fish species to complete their life cycles they must be able to migrate without being impeded by physical or chemical barriers. It was, they said, essential that the works do not impede fish movement within the catchment.

The board agreed with their inspector's finding and gave the council the green light subject to a number of conditions.