Fianna Fáil has criticised Fingal County Council over its decision to close a bridge in Portmarnock in order to carry out repair works.

The council is planning to close the bridge on 12 September for two weeks.

However, businesses and residents said it will cause "serious disruption".

Fiann Fáil Senator, Lorraine Clifford-Lee, is calling on the council to rethink its plan.

She said: "Residents will be forced to take a long detour to access their homes and people will be unable to reach local businesses. The closure will also make the Dart station virtually inaccessible for most Portmarnock residents who rely on the station to commute to work. The closure of the bridge will make it difficult for emergency services to access the village. Parents will also face serious disruption in bringing their children to school in the village.

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"The repair works will last at least two weeks, but warnings have been made that the refurbishment could take up to four weeks to complete. It is simply unacceptable for the main access road into the village to remain closed for such a long period of time without an adequate alternative route being provided.

"Bridge repair works in other areas have been carried out without having to cause as much disruption to local traffic. For example, it is standard practice to close one lane on a bridge at a time to facilitate works or if this cannot be achieved then a temporary access bridge is put in place."

(CD/JP)