North Antrim TUV MLA Gaston says constituent business takings have "dropped £800 a day" since Kilrea bridge closure
A North Antrim MLA has highlighted the knock-on effect being felt by businesses in his constituency due to continuing issues with the Bann Bridge in Kilrea.
Timothy Gaston was speaking during an Adjournment Debate secured by East Derry SDLP MLA Cara Hunter on Tuesday, January 27.
"I thank Cara Hunter for securing the Adjournment Debate, as it gives me the opportunity to raise the issue of the Kilrea Bridge, the closure of which on 20 September has had quite an impact on my constituents and local businesses.
"We have heard in the debate that the bridge has been partially reopened, with a full reopening to heavy vehicles scheduled for the middle of February. The full closure of the bridge has severed the ties between East Londonderry and North Antrim and stopped a lot of trade passing over the Bann.
"The takings for one business in my Constituency, a small retail offering located on the Craigs Road, have dropped by £800 a day. For a small business, that is a massive drop in sales.
"To date, as far as I know, no Department has stepped forward to say, "Listen, we're taking responsibility for this. We're going to compensate you for the drop in sales".
"Likewise, on the Kilrea side of the closure, many businesses tell me that they have dropped by 50%. That impacted on them the whole way up to Christmas, and it will leave a lasting impact on their viability. Take, for example, the renowned Kilrea Livestock Mart: it lost all of its trade from County Antrim because of the closure.”
MLA Gaston asked the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins what plans her department has to rectify the situation regarding the bridge which was built in 1883.
"We have a bridge in Portglenone and a bridge in Agivey. What happened when the Kilrea Bridge closed? All of the traffic had to go on each side, which brought the town of Portglenone in my constituency to a standstill on many days.
"Yes, DFI had to put in temporary measures to stop on-street parking, but the knock-on effect of the Kilrea Bridge closure was gridlock in Portglenone. Many commuters and many people who live in the town were put out by that.
"We must look to the future and press the Minister on what she will do about this. I want the old bridge to be retained, but you have to focus on putting in a new bridge in Kilrea that meets the needs of 2026 and into the future.
"The interface between County Antrim and County Londonderry cannot be left in its current disarray. Who is to say that the structural defects will not come back in the near future? I want to hear from the Minister today on her short, mediumand l ong-term plans.
“The long-term plan must be a new bridge at Kilrea to ensure that, if the defects come back, we are already in the planning phase. Indeed, if you are planning a new bridge, I want to know the time frame within which you see it being in place.
"It is over to the Minister. The people of North Antrim and East Londonderry want to know your plans for the bridge."