Bridge closed after structural damage found

THE Cassey Water Bridge outside Kilkeel has been closed after serious structural damage was uncovered last week.

Located on the Newry Road just under two miles out of Greencastle, the bridge has now been closed for the public due to safety concerns.

And Sinn Fein representative for the area Michael Rice says he had reported his concerns over the state of the bridge to roads officials last week.

Speaking to The Outlook, Cllr Rice said: "Last Tuesday evening, I reported concerns regarding the condition of the bridge to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads Division.’

"Their engineering team attended the site on Wednesday morning and, upon inspection, confirmed the severity of the damage.’

"Following this, the road was closed immediately in the interest of public safety."

While the decision has been made to ensure the safety of road users, Cllr Rice noted the sudden closure has been a significant and unexpected inconvenience to residents and road users in the area.

"The decision to close the road was made with no prior consultation or notification, which understandably caused frustration among residents and commuters.

"Many have faced significant disruption, with lengthy detours through the mountains and into Rostrevor or Hilltown.

"This has been especially difficult for those living in Killowen and Kilkeel, and I share their frustration with the significant inconvenience this has caused.

"While the lack of timely communication from the Department has been disappointing, I understand the urgent nature of the issue.

"The priority must always be the safety of the public, and I welcome the Department's swift response in beginning work to address the damage before a more serious incident could occur.

"I will continue to press the Department for clearer updates and better communication going forward.

"Better communication with the local community is necessary to ensure disruption is minimised and repairs are completed as quickly as possible."