Sugden calls for new Kilrea bridge following meeting with local traders

Claire Sugden MLA has called for urgent progress towards a new bridge in Kilrea following a meeting with local traders and stakeholders to discuss the ongoing impact of the recent bridge closure.

“Seven months on, it’s clear that many businesses in Kilrea are still feeling the effects. Footfall dropped, trade was disrupted, and for some, things haven’t returned to where they were. When you’re already operating on tight margins, that kind of hit is hard to recover from,” said Ms Sugden.

“This hasn’t just affected Kilrea. Farmers and those accessing Kilrea Mart have faced real difficulties, with longer journey times for livestock raising both economic and animal welfare concerns. It shows just how important this route is to the wider area, including Garvagh and Portglenone.

“There is a strong feeling locally that the current bridge is no longer fit for purpose. It wasn’t designed for the level or type of traffic it now carries, and that creates a real fear that this could happen again. Businesses don’t want to be dealing with that kind of uncertainty.

“I have written to the Infrastructure Minister on behalf of local representatives to ask her to visit Kilrea and meet directly with traders. There is clear support for a new bridge, and at the very least we need to see a feasibility study to properly assess the options and give people confidence for the future.”