Call for Infrastructure Minister to release COVID funds to build bridge over River Bann

Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon announced a £20m fund for blue/green infrastructure as well as funding for road safety measures, street lights and potholes.

Upper Bann Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd called for some of the £20m announced in May to be used to bridge the Bann foot and complete the cycling and walking routes around Lough Neagh.

Calls for a bridge at the Bannfoot, over the River Bann between Derrytrasna and Colmcille on the shores of Lough Neagh have been echoed for decades.

A ferry, carrying cars and animals as well as produce had operated at the Bannfoot for generations but shut in the 1970s.

Recently an online campaign calling for a footbridge over the Bann River at this point has received almost 5000 signatures of support.

However there has been opposition from residents in the Charlestown village close to the Bannfoot.

Mr O’Dowd said: “It is not sustainable for cycling and walking around the Lough to be impeded by the failure to bridge the Bann foot, whether it’s a road bridge or foot bridge the opportunity should now be seized to use some of this £20m windfall to deliver what is needed.

“Bridging the Bann foot is of regional importance and as with any such projects the concerns of locals should be upheld where possible but the project must be delivered.

“As with so many regional projects the greater benefit has to be taken on board and to date this has not been the case by decision makers.

“I would call on the Minister and the Council to now move forward with this important infrastructural project and open up Lough Neagh and its adjoining communities to the true economic potential of cycling and walking tourism.”

The Department for Infrastructure was asked for a response but none was received at the time of going to press.

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