Strabane’s Mourne Bridge set to be strengthened

REMEDIAL works are scheduled to begin to strengthen the structure of Mourne Bridge in Strabane.

Back in 2016 anglers reported large crevices in the bridge’s arches and warned of holes which have opened up underfoot on the river bed.

At that time environmental experts were asked to examine the damage caused to Strabane’s bridge by storms which battered the UK and Ireland during winter.

This week, Strabane Sinn Féin councillor Michaela Boyle revealed that work is to start soon on the river bed at the arches of the Mourne Bridge to strengthen its structure.

Cllr Boyle said, “A contractor has been appointed to start the work within the next few weeks.

“The work will involve the setting of large nets of stone to fill the river bed below the arches on the River Mourne. This is essential and necessary work that needs to be carried out in order to further strengthen the structure of the bridge.”

Cllr Boyle said she had been speaking to an official within the Rivers Agency about the scheduled works who gave assurances that there should be no obstruction to either pedestrians or motorists on the bridge while work is ongoing.

“Furthermore,” she added, “he has given assurances that work will not in any way impinge or impact on the flow of the river or the spawning of fish.

“Given the history of previous floods in the river this work will be carried out to ensure no further flooding will impact on the structure of the bridge.”