Historic humpback bridge ‘not fit for modern traffic’ as calls grow for safety measures after repeated collisions
Waterways Ireland has spent €100,000 over the past year repairing a historic canal bridge in county Kildare after a series of traffic collisions.
Healy’s Bridge, which crosses the Grand Canal at Downings on the busy route between Prosperous and Kilmeague, has been struck multiple times throughout 2025 and early 2026, prompting repeated repair works.
In correspondence with Kildare North Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, Waterways Ireland confirmed it is now working with Kildare County Council to identify a long-term solution to prevent further damage.
The issue has been the focus of a local campaign with Deputy Farrelly alongside his Social Democrats colleague, Councillor Paula Mulroe, who has called for urgent traffic calming measures.
Cllr Mulroe said Healy’s Bridge, a traditional humpback structure dating back to the late 1790s, is not suited to modern traffic volumes.
She noted the bridge has suffered repeated impacts in recent years, with some incidents causing significant structural damage and forcing the temporary closure of canal navigation while repairs were carried out.
According to Cllr Mulroe, local residents have expressed support for traffic calming measures on both approaches to the bridge to reduce the risk of further collisions.
However, she said previous proposals — including traffic lights or a stop/go system — were ruled out by Kildare County Council.
“Doing nothing about it is certainly not an option,” she said.
“Whatever is done, the current volume of traffic is not sustainable over a 230-year-old bridge that was built to carry horses and carts.”
Discussions between Waterways Ireland and the local authority are ongoing as pressure mounts to protect the historic structure while maintaining road safety in the area.
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