Kilrea bridge meeting shows strength and unity among local community

Retail NI and Hospitality Ulster have urged the Northern Ireland Executive and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to introduce a support package for traders who are suffering significant losses due to the disruption by the closure of Kilrea Bridge.

A meeting held in Kilrea on Friday afternoon saw local businesses, the Department of Infrastructure, Retail NI and local politicians come together to discuss the closure of the bridge in the County Derry village. 

Back in September, the bridge closed after extensive cracking was discovered in a retaining wall.

Last week, it emerged that a contractor has been appointed to commence work yesterday (November 10).

The work is expected to continue for 14 weeks.

However, on Friday afternoon the Department for Infrastructure confirmed that its aim is to reopen the bridge to cars and light vehicles by early December. 

Speaking on the works a DfI spokesperson said: “Since appointing the specialist contractor last week the Department has been working closely with them to explore every opportunity to reduce the timescale and minimise disruption for these essential safety works.

“As previously outlined, the permanent solution requires specialist equipment to drill between the two approach walls beneath the existing road surface. Tie-bars will then be installed to structurally connect the retaining walls on either side of the road. This is a complex and time-consuming process with limited scope for acceleration.

“However, we are pleased to confirm that an interim solution has now been established to install a number of temporary tie-bars to provide temporary restraint to the walls whilst the main repairs are carried out. We are optimistic that the use of temporary tie-bars will allow the road to reopen to cars and light vehicles in early December, subject to suitable weather conditions.

“The Department fully appreciates the impact this closure is having and the understandable frustration of the local community, including businesses in the area.  The Department is committed to reopen the road as soon as possible whilst protecting the public as a priority.  We want to thank everyone for their patience while we work to deliver a safe and effective solution.”

DFI has also stated that hardship funds will be made available for affected businesses to apply for in due course.

Local traders say they are suffering significant losses due to the disruption caused by the bridge closure and want a support package.

Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, and Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, said: “Our members in Kilrea are experiencing a huge drop in trade because of the closure of the bridge. Over the fourteen weeks of repairs, they will lose the vital trading periods of Christmas and most likely Valentine’s Day.

“This loss of trade would be bad at the best of times, but in the run-up to Christmas it is disastrous for our members, who depend on this income to sustain their businesses throughout the year.

“The Executive needs to produce a trader support package, similar to the Sandy Row scheme, and immediately activate the Rates Hardship Fund. In the long term, Kilrea needs a new bridge to ensure this situation never happens again.”

Politicians are calling for a new two-lane modern bridge to be built as soon as possible. However there are no confirmed plans for a new bridge.

Sinn Féin Councillor Sean Bateson spoke at the event saying: 

“I know the impact the bridge closure has had on the local community and have connections to a family business in the area. I know extremely well the impact this has had over the past number of months. I can say from my perspective as the local councillor I have been advocating and doing everything within my remit to try and get answers on what is happening. 

“I would propose that the council will write to the Department of Communities to come up with a package for businesses and how best to support businesses when the bridge is up and running again. I would also propose to the council that we run a marketing campaign to show that Kilrea is open to encourage people to shop local. I want to put on record that Sinn Féin are fully behind a new bridge. In the short term the main thing is to get the bridge up and running again as quickly as possible. Long term we need a new bridge. I know that is going to take time. All parties in the community agree with this and hope for this in time. This impacts all sides of the community and we want it open as quickly as possible.”

Councillor Bateson concluded: “The people of Kilrea have shown great patience and resilience throughout this difficult period, and we’ll keep working to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed.”

MP for East Derry, Gregory Campbell, also attended the meeting. The DUP politician said he was disappointed initially with the reply he received from the Department regarding a visit to the bridge but was glad to see officials meeting in Kilrea on Friday.

“The bridge needs to be brought back into action as quickly as possible. I’m glad to hear that it will hopefully be the start of December. I have to say it is hope and expectation. I hope that what has been quoted today can be delivered upon. I wouldn’t like people’s expectations to be raised and then December comes and there is a reason why you can’t let vehicles back in. I think you need updates happening to show people you are meeting the deadlines,” Mr Campbell said.

A local mother of an autistic child spoke of the impact the bridge’s closure is having on her son. 

She said: “I work full time and I am not always at home therefore my son has to get buses to and from school. Due to this buses are impacted and my child has to wait in the depot in Ballymena from 1pm until 4.30pm. This affects him greatly.” 

A spokesperson from the Ulster Farmers Union commented on the great impact this is having on local farmers adding: "Rural towns like Kilrea are part of the fabric of life in Northern Ireland, we have seen issues with farmers travelling from one side of the Bann to the other, transporting cattle and livestock and journeys taking longer which is a welfare issue but also affects daily life. People trying to get to the market from either side of the Bann too. You can count on UFU to support this going forward.”