‘Third bridge would cost £20 million’

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy and Alan Keys, Network Development Manager (2nd left) Cllrs Claire Sugden and David Barbour survey the view of the Bann from the new parapet on the Sandelford Bridge, Coleraine
The Minister visited the A29 Ring Road and Newmills Road in Coleraine to discuss potential options to improve traffic progression. Roads Service Traffic Section has commissioned a study to seek to identify potential options that will improve traffic progression along the section of highway from the Lodge Road roundabout, along the A29 Ring Road to its junction with the Ballycastle Road roundabout.
The study will also seek to identify potential improvements at the junction of the A29 Ring Road and Newmills Road.

The minister also visited Sandelford Bridge, where £400,000 has been spent to date on replacing the parapet railings with new 1.4metre high parapets, which provide better containment. As a result of water penetration close to the expansion joints, the concrete deck and water proofing also had — Transport Minister Danny Kennedy and Alan Keys, Network Development Manager (2nd left) Cllrs Claire Sugden and David Barbour survey the view of the Bann from the new parapet on the Sandelford Bridge, Coleraine The Minister visited the A29 Ring Road and Newmills Road in Coleraine to discuss potential options to improve traffic progression. Roads Service Traffic Section has commissioned a study to seek to identify potential options that will improve traffic progression along the section of highway from the Lodge Road roundabout, along the A29 Ring Road to its junction with the Ballycastle Road roundabout. The study will also seek to identify potential improvements at the junction of the A29 Ring Road and Newmills Road. The minister also visited Sandelford Bridge, where £400,000 has been spent to date on replacing the parapet railings with new 1.4metre high parapets, which provide better containment. As a result of water penetration close to the expansion joints, the concrete deck and water proofing also had

Mr Kennedy was in Coleraine recently to meet with new Independent Coleraine councillor Claire Sugden and UUP councillor David Barbour.

The main objective of the meeting was to view and discuss the busy Newmills Road junction.

However during the course of discussions, councillor Sugden, who took over from MLA David McClarty, highlighted congestion at Waterside.

“Waterside is busy every day, not just in the summer months with the influx of tourists,” said councillor Sugden.

“I spoke to Minster Kennedy about this, and the only solution that he could offer was that Coleraine needed a third bridge.

“He sees the problems that drivers face, but he said that a third bridge would be the only way to improve traffic flow around Coleraine.”

Councillor Sugden told The Times that estimates for a third bridge would cost in the region of £20 million.

“Obviously there are no plans for a new bridge in Coleraine in DRD budgets, but I understand that traffic and a proposal for a third bridge are part of the Coleraine Masterplan,” concluded the Independent councillor.

As part of the visit, the Minister also viewed recent refurbishment work on the Sandelford Bridge in Coleraine.

Potential options for the busy A29 Ring Road and Newmills Road juction were discussed.

The two councillors were told that Roads Service Traffic Section has commissioned a study to seek to identify potential options that will improve traffic progression along the section of highway from the Lodge Road roundabout, along the A29 Ring Road to its junction with the Ballycastle Road roundabout.

The study will also seek to identify potential improvements at the junction of the A29 Ring Road and Newmills Road.