Bridge check is just a precaution

The safety check to be carried out on Athlone's iconic railway bridge over the river Shannon by Iarnród Éireann is simply a precautionary measure in light of the collapse of the viaduct at Malahide, according to a spokesman for the company. CIE spokesman Barry Kenny said the company would be carrying out inspections of a number of railway bridges and viaducts across the country in light of the Malahide incident, but added these checks were "obviously precautionary". Mr Kenny explained the collapse of the viaduct in Malahide was caused by a change in the tidal flow in the estuary. He said the water flow surrounding the bridge running over the Shannon would be the first thing to be checked, but said the inspection will also involve a structural check, which will include an underwater inspection. Mr Kenny said an extensive safety check was last carried out on the railway bridge in Athlone in September 2006 and explained that the standard timeframe between checks is six years, but added smaller checks are carried out every couple of years.