Minister confirms there are no plans for new bridge at Kilrea

There are no current plans to begin a feasibility study for a new bridge at Kilrea.

Department for Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins confirmed the news to Aontú Deputy Leader and East Derry representative Gemma Brolly, who recently wrote to the department seeking urgent clarity on the delivery of a new crossing.

The bridge, built in 1783, closed to traffic in September 2025 due to concerns over the structural stability of a retaining wall.

Since early December, the bridge has been partially opened to light vehicles however permanent repair works are still ongoing.

The DfI ‘remain optimistic’ that the road can be fully reopened to all vehicles by mid-February.

The bridge’s closure and the knock-on effect it has had on the area has recently prompted many residents, business owners and politicians to call for a new bridge to be constructed.

Gemma Brolly wrote to the Minister on January 7 seeking urgent clarity on the delivery of a new crossing.

In her request, the Aontú representative challenged the 2035 Regional Infrastructure Planning Framework, asking for a plan to accelerate the timeline, an update on preparatory design work, and details of any planned community engagement.

In her response, the Minister stated that while the bridge has been given listed status and it provides a vital link for local residents, it is not part of the strategic road network.

“The Causeway Coast and Glens (CCG) Local Transport Plan (LTP) will set the framework for making new transport policy and investment decisions up until 2035 for the CCG council area. Informed by project studies, this will aim to ensure that the transport network meets the needs of the people and businesses living, working, and visiting the area, both now and in the future,” said the Minister.

“My Department does not have any current plans to take forward a feasibility study for a new replacement bridge at this location,” she added.

Ms Brolly, who has expressed deep disappointment at the news, said: “While the reopening of the current bridge to light vehicles is an important step for local businesses, it is not a long-term solution. My request was simple: we need to know how this project can be brought forward. The Minister’s response, however, confirms my fears that without significant public pressure, a new bridge will remain a 'future plan' until it is once again a crisis.

“The Department suggests this project falls within a timeframe ending in 2035. If we are not even at the feasibility study stage in 2026, then 2035 will rapidly become the reality. Surely the DfI and the Council can work alongside one another now enabling preparatory assessments to happen in parallel with the Council's local planning process, rather than waiting for one cycle to end before another begins.”

Ms Brolly concluded: “Kilrea deserves more than just acknowledgement; it needs a plan that meets the demands of 21st-century transport and safety. A 240-year-old structure cannot be the only link for our community for the next decade. I will continue to press the Councils and the Department for Infrastructure to stop waiting on planning cycles and start the necessary groundwork today.”