‘Unaffordable’bridge is backto square one

A NEW business case and funding application for a proposed foot and cycle bridge in Strabane is necessary after a tender exercise resulted in construction costs coming in well over budget and making the project unaffordable.

Social Development Minsiter Nelson McCausland had previously indicated that he would make available funding of up to £2.5 million for the proposed Strabane Community Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge project.

But following a tender exercise, the construction costs of the bridge came in well over budget making the project unaffordable.

He told Strabane MLA Michaela Boyle: “Strabane District Council subsequently decided to abandon the original project proposal in favour of a less costly bridge design.

“Because the original project proposal has been abandoned, a new business case will have to be developed for the new design which will have to go through the normal approval processes within my own Department and DFP.

“The Strabane Community Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge project remains within my Department’s forward work plan for capital projects during the current Spending Review period.

“I can confirm that the Department remains committed to working with Strabane District Council to bring the project forward, subject to a suitable business case being developed and all the necessary approvals being secured.”