East Londonderry UUP urges community to back Kilrea 'Build Our Bridge' campaign
The East Londonderry Ulster Unionist Party Association has called on the entire community to rally behind the ‘Build Our Bridge’ campaign in Kilrea, following a recent meeting between leading UUP officials and the campaigners calling for a key new bridge in the constituency’s town.
Among those who attended the meeting with campaigners were UUP leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, Bann UUP councillor Richard Holmes, and UUP association secretary Glen Miller.
Such is the need for a new bridge at Kilrea, Mr Burrows has raised the issue in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In a major policy statement, the East Londonderry UUP association in calling for widespread community support for the new bridge project, said: “Kilrea Bridge has been servicing the community since 1783 - that’s before the French Revolution!
“It was already more than 120 years old before the first car ever crossed it. This bridge has carried generations of families, farmers, workers, and businesses. It’s more than stone and mortar - it’s the lifeline that connects the town, its people and an entire economic region across Antrim, Londonderry and into Tyrone.
“But as proud as they are of its heritage, we cannot ignore the facts. In September 2025, Kilrea Bridge was closed for five months to HGVs and three months to cars because of serious cracking in the retaining wall at the southwest end.
“That closure was a wakeup call. It exposed how fragile that connection really is. During those months, the local economy suffered deeply. Businesses saw turnover drop by up to 50%. One farmer faced over £10,000 in additional costs just trying to farm his own land across the river.
“Families faced long detours. Emergency response times were delayed. The people of Kilrea felt disconnected and forgotten. For years, they’ve seen a pattern of reactive repairs - patch-ups that cost money, but don’t solve the problem.
“And we must remember that the bridge was also closed in 2022 for five weeks for repairs. Patch-ups are not a long-term solution. It’s poor value for public funds and it leaves everyone exposed to the same disruption again and again.
“We cannot keep waiting for the next crack to appear. We need to plan ahead.”
In the major policy statement, the East Londonderry UUP association said it is supporting party leader Jon Burrows in calling for three clear actions:
A better inspection and repair regime - to ensure continued usage of the oldest bridge on the River Bann.
A contingency plan - so if the bridge suffers a catastrophic failure, there is a clear shovel ready plan to provide an alternative bridge within weeks.
Immediate action from the Stormont Department for Infrastructure - to begin a Stage One Feasibility Study for a new bridge.
The East Londonderry UUP association added: “The time for wringing our hands has passed; the time for planning and action is now. We are not asking for more discussion - we are asking for leadership. A new bridge would not only protect our history; it would secure our future.
“It would strengthen our local economy, create jobs, and open the town and surrounding area to new opportunity. To the Stormont Minister for Infrastructure and to the Executive - we urge you to prioritise Kilrea Bridge.
“Recognise the risk of doing nothing, and the potential of doing something bold. And we in the UUP challenge every party in the Assembly to make a manifesto pledge to a new bridge for Kilrea as a DfI priority.
“Let’s act now before another closure makes that decision for us. Let’s build our bridge, protect our history, and build our future together,” said the East Londonderry UUP association statement.
Our caption for the photo with this article shows Ulster Unionist Party representatives who met with the ‘Build Our Bridge’ campaigners in Kilrea included party leader Jon Burrows (second left), East Londonderry UUP association secretary Glen Miller (first left) and Bann UUP councillor Richard Holmes (second right).