Fears for Limavady bridge's safety due to eroding flood bank

Fears have been expressed that a bridge in Limavady could ‘collapse’ if action isn’t taken over the deteriorating flood bank.

The issue was highlighted this week by a local angler who says that ‘sustained rainfall and the moderate rise in the river level’ has caused the bank at the River Roe to erode in a short period of time.

The man has raised the issue with the Department for Infrastructure and the Loughs Agency as he fears a nearby bridge on the Limavady Bypass is at risk.

“With the bank weakened, a substantial flood could put the first bridge on the Limavady Bypass, travelling from Ballykelly direction, at risk of being undermined, or possible collapse, posing risk to life and infrastructure,” he said.

“The erosion is really bad, there is no structure to the bank down to the bridge, it’s just sandy soil.

“Worst case scenario, if the bridge did sustain any impact, Limavady town centre would be in chaos for the foreseeable future,” he added.

The man has also raised similar concerns about the flood bank in the Aghanloo area.

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“The landowners and anglers alike have been reporting the weakening of the flood bank in Aghanloo for approximately two years,” he said.

“The failure of the bank poses a risk to life and livestock. Locals walk the bank from time to time, and furthermore, with the new fishing season commenced anglers from outside the area will be frequenting the area to fish the night fly.

“A lot of the damage is the result of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam. It smothers native foilage and spreads its seeds when disturbed. Flood banking on the River Roe requires urgent attention in the town and Aghanloo areas,” he added.

A DFI spokesperson said: “The Department is aware of damage to the river bank upstream of the bridge. There is currently no danger to the stability of bridge structure. However, further investigations will be carried out to determine what remedial actions may be required.”