Questions have been asked over why nothing has been done to repair the storm-damaged Clare Bridge – over two months after work was expected to start.
The bridge sustained what was described as “significant damage” when a large tree was felled during Storm Eowyn in January.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins had earlier been asked when works would be expected to be carried out.
Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin was informed at the end of June that the Department of Infrastructure had “assessed the damage at the time” and had since “issued instruction to a contractor to take forward repairs”.
As the schools were due to break for the summer holidays, Mr Irwin had welcomed then the news that the work
were “programmed to commence at the start of July for a period of approximately three weeks”.
At the same time, he was advised this was “dependent on favourable weather conditions and the timely completion of adjacent works by NI Water contractors”.
There has been no start to work, according to Mr Irwin, who has moved after the summer recess to once again demand an update.
The DUP MLA has hit out at the “lack of progress” and questioned the delay, describing the weather over this period as “very favourable”.
Said Mr Irwin: “Local road users and residents are obviously concerned by the passage of time without any visible progress to this historical and important bridge in Clare village – all the more given the extent of the damage that was caused by the storm and the risks of further decay of the structure in the intervening period.
“That is why I have again questioned the DfI Minister to get an accurate timeframe established for the commencement of work. There was a fantastic window of weather in July and August for this work to be done and that period has now sadly passed without any action at all being taken which is hugely disappointing.
“Hopefully the Minister can establish an accurate timeframe and when the date of commencement is provided, it will be adhered to and this important bridge repair process can then begin.
“The storm was many months ago and it is important that works such as this are attended to much more quickly than has been the case in this instance.”
