Sinn Féin renew call for second bridge in New Ross

Following the flooding of O’ Hanrahan Bridge last Wednesday and the severe traffic mayhem which it caused, New Ross Sinn Féin has renewed their call for the construction of a second bridge in the town. Local spokesperson Oisin O’ Connell said that New Ross town’s reputation as a bottleneck and its continuing problems with traffic congestion was impacting on investment coming into the town.

Mr O’ Connell said;

"New Ross town has had a big problem with traffic congestion for many years now. It is a situation that has been ignored by successive governments. During the boom years the town witnessed regular tail backs entering the O' Hanrahan Bridge from the Rosbercon side. Intelligent proposals to tackle this problem were made but sadly ignored."

“In 2002 local Sinn Féin proposed the construction of a second bridge over the Barrow at Marshmeadows. While other local politicians have campaigned for the construction of a second bridge five miles outside New Ross, which would bring few benefits to those living and trading in the town, Sinn Féin has consistently called for the a second bridge to be positioned at the Marshmeadows site.”

"Last month during the National Ploughing Championships, New Ross was brought to a standstill as a super-tailback developed. Traffic approaching New Ross was blocked up all the way back to Ferrybank in Waterford. It took a monumental effort by the Gardaí and members of the National Ploughing Association to free the flow of traffic.”

"This constant inability to deal with traffic problems is having an adverse affect on our town and is preventing much needed investment from coming in. The time has come to revisit the proposition of construction of a second bridge in New Ross, located at Marshmeadows."