Anyone driving or walking through Vicarstown is urged to be careful, following an accident on Wednesday evening that saw significant damage done to the canal bridge.
The bridge was hit by a lorry at about 5pm on Wednesday, removing a large section of the stone wall and disconnecting it from the railing that runs along the top of it.
The accident has left a considerable portion of the bridge exposed looking down to the water below.
Remedial repair works will need to be carried out to ensure its safety with Laois County Council and Waterways Ireland responsible.
Waterways Ireland are currently developing a 46km blueway walking track that will go from Athy to Rathangan along the canal through Vicarstown.
Work is currently paused on that project but it is hoped to be completed in full by mid 2022.
Incidentally, the issue of speed ramp in Vicarstown was raised at Wednesday’s meeting of the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District by local councillor Paschal McEvoy.
The council responded by saying the Road Design Section will contact Cllr McEvoy to establish the exact location and traffic calming measure needed.
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