Details have been announced for the long-awaited upgrade of a Co Fermanagh footbridge which was destroyed by flooding more than six years ago.
Kesh Footbridge was damaged by severe flooding in December 2015 and, since then, it has remained inaccessible to pedestrians which one councillor said has caused 'significant health and safety issues for residents and visitors walking to and from the village'.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads in collaboration with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is due to commence upgrade and refurbishment works to the footbridge and retaining walls on August 15.
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The works will include repairs to the river channel retaining wall and replacement of a section of masonry wall with a river channel retaining wall along the southern river bank, repairs to the masonry wall on the northern river bank, repairs to the downstream apron of the Kesh Bridge including measures to help improve the movement of fish and the provision of a short length of new footpath to connect the footbridge to the public footway on the south side.
Following successful completion of the works, the footbridge and the linked path will transfer to DfI Roads for adoption and future maintenance.
Speaking about the works, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Barry McElduff, said: “I am pleased that the Council (FODC) and DfI Roads are working in partnership to modernise the footbridge to improve access for pedestrians in and around the Kesh village.
"The bridge was damaged by severe flooding in December 2015 and, since then, it has remained inaccessible to pedestrians. This has resulted in significant health and safety issues for residents and visitors walking to and from the village.
"It is important that the infrastructure in our towns and villages is of a high modern standard to ensure a good quality of life for our residents and to make all areas within our District great places to live, work, visit and invest in.”
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said: “I am fully aware of the vital importance of this private footbridge to the residents of the village of Kesh and visitors. My officials have worked closely with their counterparts from Fermanagh & Omagh District Council to secure a mechanism to repair the river wall and footbridge foundation. I welcome the delivery of these works in conjunction with the Council to put this important footbridge back into service and have it adopted by my Department.”
The proposed works are scheduled to take approximately 16-18 weeks, however, DfI Roads will provide updates on any changes to the agreed schedule.
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