Horseshoe Bridge
Active Travel Infrastructure – Horseshoe Bridge
The Horseshoe Bridge Active Travel Scheme has delivered approximately 80m of shared pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, including a new 29m dedicated pedestrian and cycle bridge along Park Road over the Ulster Canal in Monaghan Town. The scheme enhances safety, accessibility and connectivity between residential areas, schools, the existing Ulster Canal Greenway and Monaghan Town Centre, creating an important link within Monaghan’s expanding Active Travel network.
The existing Horseshoe Bridge, a protected structure carrying Park Road over the disused Ulster Canal, is a key connection between surrounding residential areas, nearby schools and the town centre. Prior to the scheme, pedestrians and cyclists were required to share a narrow carriageway with vehicular traffic operating within an uncontrolled give-and-take arrangement, creating a significant risk of conflict between vulnerable road users, particularly school children, and vehicles.
The new dedicated Active Travel bridge accommodates all pedestrians and cyclists, providing a safe and accessible crossing of the Ulster Canal. In consultation with Monaghan County Council’s Heritage Officer, minor alterations were made to the existing parapets to improve visibility and user comfort while preserving the historic character of the protected structure. The scheme also included the introduction of a signalised traffic shuttle system and demand-activated pedestrian crossings at both bridge approaches, significantly enhancing safety for all users while encouraging active travel. Vehicle movements at the junction of Mullaghmatt Road and Park Road are now managed through the signal-controlled shuttle arrangement, improving traffic operations and reducing conflicts between users.
Key Features of the Scheme
- New 29m dedicated pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Ulster Canal independent of the existing structure.
- Approximately 80m of shared Active Travel infrastructure.
- Direct connection to the Ulster Canal Greenway and Monaghan’s existing and future Active Travel network.
- Modifications to the existing bridge parapets, improving visibility, safety and user comfort.
- Demand-activated signalised pedestrian crossings at both bridge approaches.
- Signalised traffic shuttle system with raised crossings, reducing conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
- Upgraded junction arrangement at Mullaghmatt Road.
- Maintains access and parking provision for existing landowners south of the bridge.
- Protection of the existing bridge and preservation of its historic fabric through minimal intervention and maintaining the concept of reversibility Enhanced connections between residential areas, schools, recreational amenities and Monaghan Town Centre.
- Lighting upgrades on the bridge approaches and across the new bridge, improving visibility and user safety.
- Integration with existing and planned Active Travel and Greenway infrastructure, supporting sustainable transport and modal shift.
Project Benefits
- Provides a safe, direct and accessible crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Removes conflicts between vulnerable road users and vehicular traffic on the existing bridge.
- Improves accessibility through enhanced gradients, crossing facilities and route continuity.
- Strengthens connectivity to the Ulster Canal Greenway and surrounding communities.
- Creates a valuable recreational and leisure amenity for the local community.
- Supports healthier and more sustainable travel choices for everyday journeys and recreation.
Post-construction monitoring has demonstrated strong uptake by both pedestrians and cyclists, with the majority of active travel users choosing the new crossing. The scheme represents a significant investment in sustainable transport within Monaghan Town, improving connectivity across the Ulster Canal, enhancing access to both the Greenway and the town centre, and encouraging walking and cycling as attractive alternatives for local journeys and recreation.
