Works move forward on Bridges of Ross route damaged by cow dung

*Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

WORKS to repair the road to the Bridges of Ross have begun, the route had been damaged by the chemicals from cow dung.

In November 2021, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) sought an assessment of the L-2000-0 to bring it to “a standard expected of a primary route for tourism on the Loop Head Peninsula”.

Cycling the road was always “a challenge” for cyclists “unless there is very good rubber on the wheels,” Murphy remarked.

Senior executive engineer in the West Clare Municipal District, Alan Kennelly acknowledged it as an important tourist route for accessing the Bridges of Ross and Ross Bay. He flagged, “There is a complicating factor along the route in that some local farmers move their cattle along the road on a daily basis. While it is understood that cows need feeding and milking it is a fact that cows leave dung deposits in their wake. An unfortunate consequence is that if this cow dung is not removed from the road, over time, chemicals in the dung affect the road surface and accelerate its breakdown”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo this week, Cllr Murphy said he was “really delighted” to see works were moving forward. “Following on from a lot of complaints by the local community I have been repeatedly requesting this road be resurfaced. Last year the area engineer noted that cow dung on the road would reduce the long term impact of the works and this issue would need to be resolved before they could commit to resurfacing the road. Thankfully this issue has been resolved in a way that allows the Council to finally go in and get the works done”.

He added, “The community at Ross have been very vocal with regards to getting it resurfaced and very patient waiting for it to be done… they pay their taxes like everyone else and have an expectation that a reasonable level of services will follow and I’m very pleased that it’s finally happening. It’s also part of the Wild Atlantic Way and is very important part of the visitor journey and experience around Loop Head”.