A collapsed Newry riverbank has stirred fears of unknown public dangers prompting an urgent call for safety inspections.
Emergency repairs to the Clanrye River are to take place following a sudden large subsidence on Easter Sunday.
The local authority’s strategy, policy and resources committee this week approved a contractor for works, but councillors raised concerns about further collapse.
Newry Sinn Fein Councillor Aidan Mathers said:”Not only is the site dangerous, but it is also unsightly.
“Is there any consideration of the volume of traffic given the wall is adjacent to the Soho bus station?
“The weight of the buses and the volume of them is bound to cause some subsidence.
“Obviously, it needs to be repaired quickly. Is the same going to happen further down the river and how safe is the wall the whole way down?
The collapsed riverbank. Picture: Newry.LN
“It wasn’t obvious that this part of the wall would collapse, so we need to be looking on down the river.”
Slieve Gullion UUP Councillor David Taylor added:”This came about without any indications of any issues, as far as I am aware
“I would be concerned if there weren’t plans to inspect the further stretch of wall there given how busy a part of Newry it is.
“I would be keen as a council we would impress upon the authorities to do that as soon as possible.
“Who knows what there is waiting further down the line.”
The area of the river bank damage includes the city centre Soho carpark and bus station under two separate areas of responsibility.
A council officer responded: “The construction health and safety plan will look into matters and will have a traffic management plan built into it.
“Currently there is no sign of anything (damage) further.
“We hope to be in a position in the next few days on the design of the repair works and the estimated costs.”
Another officer added: “The section of the wall down to the car park is under the council responsibility, beyond that it is Translink’s responsibility.
“I have reached out to the Department for Infrastructure Rivers and Translink to discuss how we can collaboratively look at the risk involved, structural integrity, and necessary inspections.”
