BANN BRIDGE CLOSURE: Responsibility for Kilrea businesses being passed like 'hand grenade with pin out', says Holmes
A Causeway Coast & Glens councillor says responsibility for Kilrea businesses affected by the Bann Bridge closure is being “passed around like a hand grenade with the pin out”.
In late September, 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 bridge.
DfI has since said it is working with a specialist contractor around reducing the timescale of safety works, with the hope the bridge will be reopened for 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.
Council also agreed to write to the Department of Finance, Department for Infrastructure and the Executive Office (TEO) highlighting the impact on businesses.
At December’s full Council meeting, UUP councillor Richard Holmes asked if the letter was “ready to go” to TEO.
Council’s 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 it would be raised at a subsequent Partnership Panel also.
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 get be getting passed around the Executive like a hand grenade with the pin out,” he concluded.
“The sooner we get moving on it, the better.”