Plans for the construction of a new crossing point on the River Shannon have received a setback with Department of the Environment officials confirming there are no funds set aside for the project.
North Tipperary County Council's area engineer, Mr Karl Cashen, recently informed department officials that a new crossing point was required at either Ballina/Killaloe or further downstream at O'Brien's Bridge to alleviate traffic congestion in Ballina/Killaloe.
However, he told local representatives yesterday: "Officials indicated there was no funds available at present but informed us that a preliminary study would be beneficial to any application in the future."
"They indicated funding for a study could be financed by the EU, but there will have to be a decision on who is the lead local authority, either Clare, North Tipperary or Limerick."