Bridge Collapse and Impact on Community
Seven months after the collapse of a bridge connecting a rural village to nearby communities, residents report feeling "isolated and overlooked" due to ongoing delays in repairing the route.
The Maydown Road, located on the outskirts of Benburb in Northern Ireland, crosses the River Blackwater and serves as a link between south Tyrone and north Armagh.
On 2 October last year, a retaining wall on the approach to the bridge partially collapsed following heavy rainfall the day before Storm Amy affected Northern Ireland.
Local Business Impact
Pauline McAnallen, a shop owner in the village, described a significant downturn in business since the collapse.
"There's no doubt the bridge is having a big impact, and it's actually contributed to some businesses closing," she said.
"We're all just feeling overlooked in this area, we never imagined we'd still be in this situation seven months later.
"To make matters worse the communication from the Department for Infrastructure has been limited and infrequent."
The community of Benburb has previously expressed concerns regarding the duration of the bridge repairs.
Repair Delays and Department for Infrastructure Response
The Stormont department responsible for the repairs initially stated the work would be completed by mid-April. This deadline was missed, and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) now anticipates completion by the end of May.
In a statement, DfI apologized to the local community, businesses, and road users for the inconvenience caused.
They explained that the delays were due to poor weather conditions, resourcing challenges, and the extension of the repair schedule into the Easter holidays.
Travel Disruption and School Community Effects
The bridge provided a vital connection between Benburb in County Tyrone and Tullysaran in County Armagh. Since the collapse, a journey that previously took approximately five minutes can now take 20 minutes or longer, depending on traffic.
This has notably affected parents and staff at Our Ladies Primary School in Tullysaran.
Justin Toner, the school principal, commented on the situation.
"Clearly it's a very rural area here and without the bridge connecting our communities, it's having an acute impact on school life particularly our commuter families," he said.
"We now have young children having to leave the Benburb area 25 minutes earlier, a commute that should be taking 10 minutes is now taking up to 25 minutes.
"So children are arriving already tired and that impacts on their focus throughout the school day, never mind the added stress it put on parents who are working but doing a couple of pick-ups a day."
Diversions and Road Conditions
While the bridge remains closed, diversions have been implemented; however, locals report that these alternative routes are in poor condition.
James Kane, chairperson of the O'Neill Country Historical Society, which operates a museum at Benburb Priory, described the situation.
"There has definitely been a noticeable drop-off in footfall here, and it's impacted the travel arrangements of our volunteers who are essential in keeping this place running.
"The reality is the alternative routes are covered in potholes and in bad condition, I've had my own car damaged recently, so it makes it difficult to reach the village."
Stefan Birch, who runs an art studio and gallery at Benburb Priory, also shared his perspective.
"Things are definitely much quieter, and when I do get speaking to customers they are just constantly complaining about how hard it is to get here at the minute.
"Unfortunately, the bridge collapse does seem to be putting people off coming to the village, I was hoping it would be fixed by now, it is taking a long time."
Historical Significance and Structural Concerns
The Maydown Bridge is historically significant, constructed near the site of the 1646 Battle of Benburb. A 19th-century gate lodge remains on its north side.
Historical concerns regarding the bridge's structural integrity have also been raised.
NI reviewed a letter from a Department of the Environment official dated November 1978 about Maydown Bridge.
The letter noted that the bridge was "fabricated from soft limestone quarried locally" which had "weathered pretty severely."
It further mentioned that an "examination from the banks shows the possibility of a crack in one of the arches" and that one of the piers might be undermined and could collapse, potentially requiring the bridge to be replaced with a more modern structure.
The letter concluded that "every effort will be made to maintain the structure in a condition fit for use but the time may well come when it will be impossible or uneconomic to do so."
Department for Infrastructure Statement on Damage and Safety
In a statement, DfI confirmed that Storm Amy caused damage to a "retaining wall on the approach to Maydown Bridge" but emphasized that "the bridge itself was unaffected."
They also stated that the Maydown Bridge was inspected in accordance with national standards to ensure it remains safe for public use.
A spokesperson added that the department is collaborating closely with the term contractor and several utility providers whose infrastructure was affected by the retaining wall collapse to facilitate reinstatement before reopening.
The works are now scheduled for completion in May.
Other Bridge Repair Projects in Northern Ireland
Several bridge replacement and repair projects have been underway in Northern Ireland in recent months.
In February, Kilrea Bridge in County Londonderry was reopened after extensive cracking was identified in its retaining wall.
Last week, DfI announced the early completion of a new Creenagh Bridge in Coalisland, County Tyrone.
