A significant milestone has been reached in the long-running campaign for a new footbridge over the Owenriff River in Oughterard – because after years of lobbying and public pressure, a planning application for the project will be lodged with An Bord Pleanála within weeks.

That’s according to local Councillor Seamus Walsh who said he was ‘pleased to confirm that we are all systems go’.

“This has been a major concern for schoolchildren, parents, and pedestrians for too long, but the green light has now been given – and we are now in the final stages before we can get this resolved for the people of Oughterard and surrounding areas, said Cllr Walsh.

He said that the design for the footbridge has now been approved, and Galway County Council has confirmed that land acquisition negotiations are progressing positively, with an approach of securing agreements with landowners rather than pursuing compulsory purchase orders.

The long-awaited project has been included in the Local Area Plan for over two decades, with locals campaigning for safer pedestrian access along the N59, particularly for schoolchildren crossing the narrow and heavily trafficked bridge.

Following previous setbacks due to environmental concerns, Cllr Walsh confirmed that those concerns have now been fully addressed.

“The issues raised about environmental impact, particularly regarding the protected pearl mussel species, have now been allayed. This was a crucial part of getting this project over the line, and I am delighted that we can now proceed.”

Galway County Council has been working closely with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to ensure that all necessary approvals are in place before the formal application is submitted.

“This is a huge step forward for Oughterard,” Cllr Walsh continued.

“For years, we have seen children and pedestrians forced to navigate a dangerous and inadequate crossing. With this development, we are finally moving towards a safer and more accessible solution.”

The planning application is expected to be submitted in the first half of 2025, bringing the project closer than ever to reality.

Pictured: Cllr Seamus Walsh.