Caw citizens await opening of the Peace Bridge

The dedicated senior citizen’s volunteer, who lives in Caw/Nelson Drive, says she cannot wait until she and her team of over 55’s can get their walking shoes on and no longer have to get lifts in cars, wait for buses or flag down taxis to visit the Cityside for shopping and outings.

Rose, who won the Pensioner of the Year title in 2008, is a busy lady, working for Caw Nelson Drive Action Group as a volunteer, helping to run the Senior Citizens’ Club, the weekly ‘ Wednesday Bingo’ group, line dancing assistant, arm chair aerobics expert and sewing club devotee, says the bridge will open up a world of health, well-being and social possibilities for the older people of the city.

“I work extensively with older people and we take regular trips to the Guildhall for the Mayors’ Tea Dances, and have trips to the Cityside.

“The opening of this bridge will be great for the people of the Bonds Street area, and for the wider Waterside, because people who enjoy walking or who belong to walking groups will be able to walk over to the Cityside.

“The bridge will have major benefits for people’s health and finances because it will not only help get folk into the city centre more quickly, it means that young mothers can go across without the expense of taxis and the difficulties with getting on and off buses, and they won’t have to suffer going across Craigavon Bridge which has so much traffic.

“The people who organise the walks in aid of charity, or the Hospice walks, will be able to incorporate the bridge, and it will also help older people be more active. People who work on the Cityside will also be able to leave their cars at Ebrington and walk into the city centre, which will ease congestion and people will, hopefully, be less likely to use disabled parking spaces needed to facilitate disabled people and the elderly in the town centre,” she said.

An enthusiastic walker herself, Rose said she was excited about using the bridge and intended walking on it as soon as it opened.

“We have a group, Walk-n-Weigh, and we will certainly be making good use of the bridge.

“I think it’s great because people of all ages and especially my age group, who are active people over 55, will have new opportunities to get out and walk without having to involve bus journeys.

“It will be really hand for everyone because they can park at Browning Drive and walk into town and back, whether it is for work, shopping or just to have a cup of coffee.

“This bridge should also help to encourage people who live on the Waterside to visit the tourist facilities they have in the city centre without the hassle of having to look for a parking space,” she said, adding: “As an older member of society and as a Waterside woman, I can only say I am very very much looking forward to the bridge opening. I love walking and I will be using the bridge as much as I can,” she concluded.