Castlerock’s historic railway bridge to reopen after £730,000 restoration project

Castlerock’s iconic Victorian railway bridge is set to reopen on Friday, May 8, marking the end of a six-year absence after a major £730,000 restoration project to address serious structural decay and safety concerns.

The listed wrought iron pedestrian bridge, a familiar landmark in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, was originally removed in October 2018 after inspections revealed significant deterioration.

Its reinstatement now signals the return of a key piece of local heritage, alongside renewed access for residents, visitors and rail passengers.

The restoration programme, commissioned by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and delivered by Adman Civil Projects, has involved highly complex engineering work under challenging conditions.

Over the past two weekends, the bridge was carefully lifted back into place during coordinated overnight operations, ensuring minimal disruption while maintaining strict safety controls.

Council leaders have described the reopening as both a heritage milestone and a significant investment in the area’s long-term infrastructure.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, said the return of the structure reflects both community pride and sustained commitment to preserving local history.

He highlighted the bridge’s importance as a “well-known landmark” that holds a “special place in the hearts of the local community”, noting the strong public interest and support that has followed the project from its earliest stages.

That sense of local attachment has been matched by the scale and complexity of the work behind the scenes. Chief Executive David Jackson outlined the technical challenges involved, pointing to the specialist engineering required and the constraints posed by necessary railway line closures during key phases of the project.

He emphasised that public and passenger safety remained the overriding priority throughout, with progress inevitably impacted by operational restrictions. However, following years of closure and a substantial commitment of ratepayers’ funding, he said the council is now in a position to deliver a fully restored structure that will be preserved for future generations.

The project has also relied on close coordination with Translink, particularly in managing access and ensuring the safe reinstatement of the bridge within an active rail environment.

Paul McBurney, Translink’s Head of Structures, confirmed that the organisation worked alongside the council to facilitate the reinstatement, welcoming the return of the pedestrian crossing at Castlerock Train Station.

He expressed confidence that the bridge will once again serve both the local community and visitors to the village, enhancing connectivity and the overall station experience.

The reopening not only restores a functional link across the railway but also reinstates a defining visual feature of Castlerock, reinforcing the area’s Victorian heritage and its appeal as a coastal destination.

After more than half a decade out of use, the bridge’s return represents both the culmination of a technically demanding project and a visible investment in the preservation of the region’s historic infrastructure.

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At a glance

• Castlerock railway bridge to reopen on Friday, May 8

• Structure removed in October 2018 due to safety concerns and decay

• £730,000 restoration funded by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

• Work carried out by Adman Civil Projects

• Complex overnight operations used to reinstall bridge over past two weekends

• Project required railway line closures and specialist engineering

• Bridge is a listed Victorian wrought iron structure

• Strong local community support throughout restoration

• Translink worked with council to facilitate reinstatement

• Bridge will serve pedestrians, rail passengers and visitors once reopened