Samuel Hayes footbridge over Avonmore River, Wicklow

The linking of the Jubilee way and Avonmore way walking trails had long been an aspiration in Wicklow County Council and in early 2019 detailed consideration was given to where it might be best located, what it might look like and what the lightly costs might be.  Architect Padraig Smith Partnership and Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers were given a brief to examine the options for location and to develop outline proposals. The river banks were examined to take account of existing tree profiles on the banks and to look at the configuration of the existing river bank walking trails etc in an effort to determine the optimum crossing point. Many other considerations fed into this assessment, such as the accessibility for construction, the requirements for protection of fisheries habitat, river flow and flood levels and general river hydrology as well as the special area of conservation (SAC) issues associated with the woodland setting.