Have your say on Connect2 Railway Bridge

PLANS for a proposed new shared-use bridge to cross the railway lines in Ballymoney will go on display this month in a public exhibition put on by Ballymoney Borough Council, sustainable charity Sustrans and Translink.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th May 2010, 15:23 BST

The proposed bridge is part of the Connect2 walking and cycling scheme for the town which will connect the expanding community in the south to the town centre including access to the station, Riverside Park, local schools and the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.

It will replace an unmanned railway crossing and offer the local community a new and more direct link to and from the town's local facilities. This bridge and its connecting network of paths will effectively link the north and the south of the town for journeys by foot and bike and will overcome the existing barriers for disabled users and parents with prams and buggies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The exhibition will take place at three locations in the town – at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney Railway Station and at the Council Offices at Riada House. The artist's designs will be on display from Monday 24th May to Friday 28th May and the community is being encouraged to view and comment on them before they are submitted to the Planning Service in June.

Mark Atkinson, Head of Property and Structures, said: "This consultation is another milestone in this exciting project. The new bridge will mean better access and convenience for everyone and we are looking forward to hearing what people have to say on the designs. Translink NI Railways services continue to be a popular way to travel and the completion of this new bridge will be a further enhancement to the station and infrastructure improvements already carried out at Ballymoney Station."

Claire Pollock, Sustrans Area Manager, continued: "This is a great opportunity for the community to see the bridge designs and talk to the team behind them. We want this bridge to really work for the people that will use it for everyday journeys within Ballymoney so local input is vital."

Cllr Ian Stevenson, Chair of the Connect2 Steering Group and Project Champion, added: "I am delighted that this opportunity for full public consultation has been made available prior to the planning process. It will allow the people of Ballymoney and the main users of the new bridge to input their thoughts and ideas into the good work that has been carried out to date. I urge everyone to take a look at the designs and make comment."

Related topics:TranslinkMark Atkinson