- Climate Change
- Posted
O'Connell Bridge 'is falling down due to global warming'
AN
independent expert has been called in to examine O'Connell Bridge over
fears the Dublin landmark is falling apart because of global warming.
Dublin City Council insists the bridge is structurally sound after routine repairs last week.
But conservationists have spotted a fresh crack in the centuries-old granite which they say points to serious damage that could result in its collapse.
The National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG) believes higher tides caused by climate change are eroding the bridge's structure and may have dangerously weakened its foundations.
The group has called in an independent structural engineer, Dr Peter McCabe, who specialises in marine engineering and has worked in the field for 40 years.
"All the indications -- from descriptions I'm getting -- are that the piers that support the bridge are settling,'' he said.
"Cracks don't appear on the superstructure of a pier for no reason. The primary reason is usually subsidence, an undermining of the foundation.''
Dr McCabe said he was travelling from his base in Cork to Dublin today to examine the suspected crevice on the south-west section of the bridge.
"Bridges are built on piers and piers are very stable. If they settle -- that is to say subside even millimetres -- cracks develop,'' he said.
"I'm suspicious that the foundations to these piers have been eroded, in view of the strong flow of the river in recent times."
The engineering consultant said if his fears were confirmed a detailed underwater examination would be needed at the foundations.
Damien Cassidy, a solicitor and NCHG chairman, said he noticed a fracture after council officials completed restoration of a balustrade and several pillars last week.
"An ordinary layman's inspection of the bridge from the Aston Quay side reveals a considerable horizontal crack,'' he said. "I hope I am wrong about the crack, because if I'm not there's a danger that one of the bridge's alcoves -- under a heavy weight, perhaps three or four buses -- could actually collapse.''
Inspections
A Dublin City Council spokeswoman said: "There is no structural instability on O'Connell Bridge and we carry out regular inspections on the bridge. It is structurally sound.''
Mr Cassidy, who makes up the NCHG with former Dublin mayor Maurice Ahern, MEP Eoin Ryan and TDs Joe Costello and Chris Andrews, said authorities were ignoring the impact of rising water levels.
"The water is hitting the bridge at high tide. It should not be hitting the bridge, it should be going under it,'' he said.
"It looks like they are closing their eyes to global warming and flood risks.''
O'Connell Bridge was designed by James Gandon, the revered architect behind the Custom House and the Four Courts. Built in 1794-98, it was called the Carlisle Bridge and widened and altered in 1800 before being renamed two years later after Daniel O'Connell.
Brian Hutton
© Irish Independent 1.09.08
But conservationists have spotted a fresh crack in the centuries-old granite which they say points to serious damage that could result in its collapse.
The National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG) believes higher tides caused by climate change are eroding the bridge's structure and may have dangerously weakened its foundations.
The group has called in an independent structural engineer, Dr Peter McCabe, who specialises in marine engineering and has worked in the field for 40 years.
"All the indications -- from descriptions I'm getting -- are that the piers that support the bridge are settling,'' he said.
"Cracks don't appear on the superstructure of a pier for no reason. The primary reason is usually subsidence, an undermining of the foundation.''
Dr McCabe said he was travelling from his base in Cork to Dublin today to examine the suspected crevice on the south-west section of the bridge.
"Bridges are built on piers and piers are very stable. If they settle -- that is to say subside even millimetres -- cracks develop,'' he said.
"I'm suspicious that the foundations to these piers have been eroded, in view of the strong flow of the river in recent times."
The engineering consultant said if his fears were confirmed a detailed underwater examination would be needed at the foundations.
Damien Cassidy, a solicitor and NCHG chairman, said he noticed a fracture after council officials completed restoration of a balustrade and several pillars last week.
"An ordinary layman's inspection of the bridge from the Aston Quay side reveals a considerable horizontal crack,'' he said. "I hope I am wrong about the crack, because if I'm not there's a danger that one of the bridge's alcoves -- under a heavy weight, perhaps three or four buses -- could actually collapse.''
Inspections
A Dublin City Council spokeswoman said: "There is no structural instability on O'Connell Bridge and we carry out regular inspections on the bridge. It is structurally sound.''
Mr Cassidy, who makes up the NCHG with former Dublin mayor Maurice Ahern, MEP Eoin Ryan and TDs Joe Costello and Chris Andrews, said authorities were ignoring the impact of rising water levels.
"The water is hitting the bridge at high tide. It should not be hitting the bridge, it should be going under it,'' he said.
"It looks like they are closing their eyes to global warming and flood risks.''
O'Connell Bridge was designed by James Gandon, the revered architect behind the Custom House and the Four Courts. Built in 1794-98, it was called the Carlisle Bridge and widened and altered in 1800 before being renamed two years later after Daniel O'Connell.
Brian Hutton
© Irish Independent 1.09.08