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Traders in Kilrea said the closure of the bridge on the east side of the village for some 14 weeks will cause devastation to their business, as it is a critical access point into the County Londonderry village. The bridge over the River Bann has been closed since September 20 due to extensive cracking. Repairs begin on November 10 for 14 weeks, causing detours of around 14 miles. Traders are pressing the Northern Ireland Executive and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for a financial support package due to the disruption. However on Friday the Department of Infrastructure announced plans that could see the bridge opened before Christmas. 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." Retail NI and Hospitality Ulster are pressing the Northern Ireland Executive and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to introduce a support package for the local traders, whom they say are suffering significant losses due to the disruption. The call was made during a meeting in Kilrea involving business owners, community representatives, and elected officials. 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.”
