Work is carried out to improve Lambeg footbridge

Lisburn Councillor Brian Bloomfield said: “Last winter the footbridge alongside the road bridge across the Lagan on the Tullynacross Road, Lambeg, became so difficult to use when very wet or icy, that many pedestrians, including the elderly, used the roadbridge along which there is no footpath, instead.

“Concerns regarding safety were raised by local residents at a meeting of Lambeg Ratepayers Association in April. This was brought to the attention of Roads Service and during the summer months the Structures Department of Road Service examined the worn state of the footbridge surface and agreed that it needed upgrading.”

Mr Bloomfield continued: “I’m pleased to see that work on this ‘upgrade project’ has at last begun and that the new ‘anti-slip’ surface will prove effective and return the footbridge to safe use for all users in the Lambeg area.

“As part of the upgrade the metalwork will also be getting a much-needed clean-up,” added the Lisburn Councillor.

A spokesperson for the Department of Regional Development confirmed that the improvement work on the footbridge has now been completed and the bridge has been reopened to the public.

A DRD Roads Service spokeswoman said: “Resurfacing of the footbridge at Tullynacross Road was completed on Friday, October 26, however the new surface required a minimum 48 hours to harden completely.

“The bridge has been re-opened,” she concluded.