No ready-made solution if Kilrea Bridge closes again, DfI tells councillors

Kilrea Bridge

Thursday 5 November 2026

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has acknowledged that any future closure of Kilrea Bridge could result in significant traffic disruption, with no immediate alternative crossing available to maintain access across the River Bann.

The warning came as councillors questioned officials about the resilience of the historic bridge, which dates back to 1783 and serves as a vital transport link for Kilrea and the surrounding area.

The bridge was closed in September following safety inspections that identified extensive cracking and structural instability in a retaining wall on its south-western approach.

Although it reopened to cars and smaller vehicles in December, restrictions on heavier vehicles caused considerable disruption for hauliers, local businesses and traffic travelling through the town.

Concerns over inspections and future closures

During a presentation by DfI Roads officials at the November meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Ulster Unionist councillor Richard Holmes questioned whether the bridge’s inspection schedule had been reviewed following the previous closure.

Highlighting its strategic importance and age, Councillor Holmes said:

“There seem to be thousands of bridges and they all have to get checked.

“But the critical nature of that bridge is probably in the top ten or 20 bridges in the entire country for checks, and given its age probably be very high amongst them.”

He also asked whether the department had a contingency plan in the event of a “catastrophic failure” at the crossing.

DfI Roads Divisional Roads Manager Alan Keys explained that bridges undergo detailed inspections every seven years, alongside intermediate inspections at intervals of one or two years.

He identified scour — the erosion of material around bridge foundations by flowing water — as a particular concern for structures such as Kilrea Bridge.

“The biggest risk for a bridge like that is probably scour, which is under the piers being undermined and maybe in flood conditions,” Mr Keys explained.

“So there’s particular attention paid to that in those types of places, but I think the latest [showed] there were no concerns on that.”

No immediate alternative crossing

When Councillor Holmes pressed officials again on whether a Plan B existed, Mr Keys indicated that the department would follow a similar approach to the previous closure, prioritising repairs while diverting traffic.

“It’s probably similar to what we had the last time; if any bridge is closed for any reason, then we try and get the repairs done as quickly as possible.

“But it does mean that there will be a period of disruption and that the traffic will have to be diverted.

“Unfortunately it’s magnified to some extent with Kilrea because the nearest crossings are quite some distance away, but we’re not in a position where we could have something just ready to go on-site.”

The response underlines the difficulties facing Kilrea should the bridge require another closure, particularly for businesses and heavy goods vehicles dependent on the crossing.

While DfI officials outlined the department’s inspection arrangements and approach to emergency repairs, no immediately deployable alternative crossing was identified during the discussion.