Members of Piltown and Carrick-on-Suir Municipal Districts have jointly welcomed the commitment of Kilkenny County Council and Tipperary County Council to work together to progress proposals for the repair of the pedestrian bridge over the River Lingaun at Killonerry, on the Kilkenny-Tipperary county boundary.

The two local authorities are working towards a joint application for funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), with Kilkenny County Council proposed to act as Lead Authority. Members of both Municipal Districts welcomed the collaborative approach being taken to seek a solution for the bridge and to progress the necessary arrangements to support a funding application.

The proposal builds on the established working relationship between Piltown and Carrick-on-Suir Municipal Districts, which, as adjoining Municipal Districts in neighbouring counties, meet jointly to discuss issues and projects of shared interest. This provides an important forum for members and officials from both areas to work together on matters which cross administrative boundaries and to develop a coordinated approach to support communities and address infrastructure challenges collaboratively.

Killonerry Bridge is a particularly appropriate example of the value of this collaboration. The bridge crosses the county boundary itself, and its repair therefore requires both districts to work together to put in place a practical arrangement for progressing the project.

To facilitate this, it is proposed that a Section 85 Agreement under the Local Government Act 2001 be entered into between Kilkenny County Council and Tipperary County Council. Under the proposed arrangements, Kilkenny County Council would act as Lead Authority, enabling it to progress the ORIS funding application and grant administration and, subject to funding approval, the subsequent delivery of the project on behalf of both authorities.

The bridge is an important local connection and also forms part of the South Leinster Way, the 104km long-distance walking route running from Kildavin in County Carlow, through County Kilkenny and onwards to Carrick-on-Suir. The route also forms part of the wider European E8 walking route. Records indicate that the pedestrian bridge at Killonerry dates from the 1930s.

The bridge suffered structural damage during flooding in November 2025 and was subsequently closed and secured on safety grounds. Both local authorities have been engaging since then in relation to the bridge and the steps required to address the situation.

Members of both Municipal Districts welcomed the willingness of the two Councils to work together to find a way forward and expressed their support for the proposed joint funding application, recognising the importance of the crossing to the surrounding communities and to the connectivity of the South Leinster Way.