The new bridge and the fate of the old bridge are major talking points for the people of Youghal.
Eighty years after it was built, the old bridge crossing the River Blackwater at Youghal was closed to traffic.
Some 56 years after it was built, corrosion to the bridge's ironwork was discovered. A series of barriers to regulate traffic was erected keeping the maximum speed to 5 mph.
With the new Youghal Bridge in operation linking counties Cork and Waterford, many people would like to see the old bridge dismantled. It will cost £30,000 to remove the bridge. A local man feels this would be money well spent as leaving the bridge in place will only see the removal costs spiral.
Another man states,
I am in favour of removing the old Youghal Bridge because it is an eyesore.
Agreeing with this opinion is the man who believes,
The old bridge which some of us have a kind of nostalgic affection for, first of all it’s a fairly hideous object.
He is happy the new Youghal Bridge enhances the scenery of the area and sees no point in having two bridges.
He believes the only reason given for keeping the old bridge is because school children on the other side of the river use it to attend school in Youghal. A realistic solution is to put on a school bus and tear down the old bridge.
The new bridge can take more traffic and this causes congestion in the narrow streets of Youghal town. This however is the price of progress.
A 'Broadsheet’ report broadcast on 3 July 1963.
