UUP’s Richard Holmes warns Kilrea businesses are being “passed around like a grenade” over bridge closure

Kilrea Bridge

UUP councillor Richard Holmes has expressed concern that responsibility for supporting local businesses affected by the closure of Kilrea Bridge is “being passed around like a grenade” among government departments.

In late September, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) announced the bridge’s closure due to concerns about the structural stability of a retaining wall on the approach to the structure.

DfI has since said it is working with a specialist contractor to reduce the timescale for essential safety works, with hopes the bridge can be reopened to cars and light vehicles before Christmas.

At November’s Leisure and Development Committee meeting, members agreed to raise the closure — which is negatively affecting businesses and residents in Kilrea — at a future Partnership Panel meeting.

The council also agreed to write to the Department of Finance, the Department for Infrastructure, and the Executive Office (TEO) to highlight the impact on local traders.

At December’s council meeting, Councillor Holmes asked whether the letter was “ready to go” to TEO.

Council chief executive David Jackson said sending the letter was subject to a five-day call-in period following ratification at the council meeting, and reiterated that the matter would also be raised at an upcoming Partnership Panel meeting.

In response, Councillor Holmes said:

“I don’t have that much faith in [the Partnership Panel], but I’m sure we can try it anyway.”

“Hopefully nobody will be trying to call that one in, but it just seems to be getting passed around the Executive like a hand grenade with the pin out,” he added.

“The sooner we get moving on it, the better.”