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The bridge was closed in early September due to concerns about the structural stability of a retaining wall on the approach to the bridge, and at November’s full council meeting, Sinn Féin Councillor Sean Bateson said the delayed reopening was causing “deep frustration” among Kilrea residents and the wider community. “This news is incredibly disappointing and the impacts on local residents [and] businesses, and daily life will be severe,” he added. “As we continue to manage the necessary repairs, it’s becoming increasingly clear that in the long term we need to look beyond repairs; a new bridge is essential to ensure the resilience and connectivity of this area. “In the meantime, we must stand behind the people and businesses who are bearing the brunt of this disruption. “Our focus now should be in what practical support we can provide with promotion, marketing and practical business advice, supporting businesses with access to financial relief, engaging with the local economic partnership to explore what additional support or investment they can provide, and launching a ‘Kilrea is Open for Business’ campaign, while the businesses go through this closure.” UUP Councillor Richard Holmes said the closure had led to “horrendous” traffic in the adjoining Portglenone, while DfI communication had been “appallingly bad”. “In this chamber every single party was critical of their communication [and] it’s got no better,” Councillor Holmes said. “I’m not aware of any information coming directly to councillors particularly in the two DEA’s affected here, it’s horrendous. “Businesses are contemplating the future here, fourteen weeks is a disaster coming through Christmas, we’ll see businesses go to the wall, [and] I would hope we would have options around the temporary bridge structure going in at this stage. “Stormont really needs to look at some sort of compensation scheme to try and keep traders going, this shouldn’t fall on our shoulders.”
