Replacement Millennium Bridge could cost up to €600,000

The wooden pedestrian bridge linking Trim Castle with the Porchfields cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced, local councillors were told at their meeting this week.

As a temporary measure, council engineers have been in contact with the army about the feasibility of providing a temporary bailey bridge over the Boyne. The meeting heard a bridge is available but the existing bridge will have to be removed first before it is confirmed that it is possible. Work to take down the bridge is expected to start later this week.

Last month, the council closed the bridge due to concerns over its structural integrity and an assessment has found that it is unsafe and cannot be repaired. The 'Millennium Bridge' was erected 22 years ago and the councillors were told the expected lifetime of similar bridges from the manufacturer was 30 years. The council has been in touch with the company to query the shortened lifespan.

The council will now explore options for a permanent replacement which is likely to take some time. A rough ball park figure of €500,000 to €600,000 was given for the replacement of the bridge with a similar structure. The original bridge cost €100,000.

A cost benefit analysis will be carried out before deciding on what type of bridge to go for - while a steel structure would cost more, it would have a longer lifespan.