2022:668 - Trim Old Bridge, Meath

Trim Old Bridge, ME036-048001, Trim Townparks North and Townparks South, is a National Monument in the ownership of the Local Authority/Meath County Council. In 2022 Meath County Council proposed minor refurbishment works to the bridge, based on a Principal Inspection Report of 2014 by WS Atkins and subsequent ongoing monitoring. Following consultation with National Monuments Service, Meath County Council applied for Ministerial Consent C001156 with Sub-number E005461 (to cover bridge repair works); W000501 (to cover any water works) and R000601 (to cover any metal detection works). The consent was issued on 25 November 2022.

In November 2022 the contractor submitted a method statement that included the following details: Old Bridge is a four-span masonry arch bridge, spanning a length of 27.39m in total with a width of 6.62m with the arch facing walls, spandrels and arch barrel constructed of square-cut limestone masonry. The joints between the masonry are filled with a lime mortar and are between 10-25mm in width.

Remediation of the bridge will include:
• Replacement of damaged road surface
• De-vegetation of structure's components and repointing of joints as a result
• Repair of isolated damaged sections of the wing walls and cutwaters
• De-vegetation of embankments

However, due to traffic management and weather issues, the only work completed from 30 November to 1 December 2022 was the replacement of the damaged road surface. This involved removing the upper 20mm of the existing tarmac and replacing it and then line painting. Vegetation removal, masonry repair and repointing were not completed.

There was no archaeological or heritage impact on the bridge or its environs. No finds or samples were collected.

The remaining works are to be completed at a later stage.

C/o Meath County Council