03/11/2025
242 Years of History — Now It’s Time to get Building for the Next Century. 👷♂️🌉
Build Our Bridge – Kilrea 🚧
We are deeply concerned by confirmation that Kilrea Bridge will remain closed for at least another 14 weeks, with works due to begin on Monday 10 November 2025 and likely continuing into February 2026.
The bridge has already been closed since 20 September, following warnings about the integrity of a retaining wall.
This closure has cut Kilrea off from County Antrim, causing serious disruption to families, workers, schools, emergency services, and especially to local businesses who rely on cross-county trade.
While we accept that public safety must come first, the Department for Infrastructure’s failure to complete the feasibility study ordered in 2022 has had devastating consequences for our town and the wider area.
Local traders are struggling, communities are divided, and an entire region has been left isolated due to inaction.
This was not an unavoidable accident - it was a failure of planning, oversight, and leadership.
The Department must take full responsibility for its failure, explain why the study was never carried out, and set out how such neglect will never be repeated.
We call on the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to:
1. Publish a clear and detailed timeline for the current repair works, with weekly progress updates.
2. Confirm that this 21+ week closure is not a temporary repair with further closures planned (20th Sept 25 – 23rd Feb 26).
3. Explain publicly why the 2022 feasibility study was not completed and identify who was responsible.
4. Provide immediate mitigation for affected residents and businesses, including business financial support, improved diversion signage, delivery and transport support, and robust emergency access plans.
5. Appoint a dedicated DfI liaison officer to maintain consistent communication and accountability for Kilrea.
6. Confirm appointment and construction dates for a new bridge.
While repairs to the existing bridge are necessary in the short term, we must now look to the future.
A modern, two-lane bridge is the only logical long-term solution.
The existing 242-year-old historic bridge must be preserved and restored for community use - as a heritage and social space that reflects Kilrea’s history and beauty - but it can no longer safely or sustainably carry today’s transport needs.
It is time to build for the future: preserve our historic bridge for generations to enjoy, and construct a new crossing immediately to reconnect our counties, our businesses, and our people.
We welcome the efforts of Retail NI in supporting affected traders and welcome them to our upcoming meeting with local representatives.
In the meantime, we urge everyone to shop local and support Kilrea’s businesses - they are the heart of our community and need your support more than ever.
“Build Our Bridge” – Kilrea exists to provide a positive platform for our businesses and communities - a space to share information, express concerns constructively, and unite behind a shared goal: securing a new bridge delivered in a timely and transparent way.
We believe in positive energy and progress - and we ask everyone to remember: if you have nothing positive to say, say nothing.
Let’s work together with purpose, positivity, and persistence to make sure the Department delivers what Kilrea and our neighbours deserve.
