'Lifeline to forgotten traders' welcomed as Kilrea Bridge over River Bann reopens to some traffic: Months-long closure cut business in half, says trade body
A ‘lifeline to traders’ has been welcomed as a bridge over the River Bann reopens to traffic tomorrow (6th).
From 8am on Saturday, cars and light vehicles up to three tonnes will once more be able to travel over Kilrea Bridge in Co Londonderry.
The route has been shut for months, ever since cracks were found in a retaining wall on the Kilrea end of the bridge in September – and in that period, a retail body says, business in nearby stores was cut by up to half.
After temporary stabilisation works by Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI), the route can now reopen to cars and light vehicles while a full permanent repair job is carried out.
Officials say they were able to get the bridge reopened for the busy Christmas period “reducing disruption for the local community while ensuring public safety as a top priority”.
As repair works are continuing until mid-February, there will be safety measures at both ends of the bridge. Said a DfI spokesman: “We ask that drivers adhere strictly to the restrictions that are in place.”
The reopening has been warmly welcomed by trade body Retail NI, whose representatives said it would be “a lifeline” to area traders who have been struggling due to the closure.
And while stores had been given some help with rates hardship applications, stated the body’s chief executive, the area’s dozens of family-run businesses have experienced “serious financial shock” while the route was sealed off.
Said Glyn Roberts: “The earlier than expected partial reopening of Kilrea Bridge is a much-needed relief for Kilrea village’s independent traders, many of whom have seen footfall and turnover fall between 25% and 50% since the closure began.”
Mr Roberts calls for a similar scheme to one in Belfast that saw stores get some financial help when the demolition of Boyne Bridge cut off a major route to Sandy Row.
“Businesses in smaller towns and rural communities are the backbone of our local economy, and right now they feel forgotten,” he said. “If the Executive can design support for Belfast traders, it can and must do the same for Kilrea.”
Added Kilrea business owner Kenny Bradley: “Our businesses are not abstract statistics, they are family livelihoods and community employers. People feel let down and overlooked.”