State has "washed their hands" of Lagan bridge labelled a "major safety issue"

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) have been at odds for some time over who is responsible for the 'Blue Bridge' in Lagan Valley Regional Park.

Concerns for safety at the site have been raised in chambers with references to women being "scared" to cross the bridge. Communities and wellbeing chairperson, DUP man Jonathan Craig previously alluded to "a number of girls and women raped and attacked at night close to that location". In 2022 two men were convicted of raping a vulnerable 12-year-old girl after meeting her on the Lagan Towpath in Lisburn.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) this week contacted the Council and Department for Infrastructure following a site visit by agencies including the PSNI, NI Housing Executive, Lagan Valley Regional Park and elected reps.

A LCCC spokesperson said: “We have undertaken extensive research of internally held registers and engaged with other public bodies.
"We can confirm the Blue Bridge in Lagan Valley Regional Park is not a council asset and believe it is a matter for DfI to discuss within central government to ascertain ownership of the bridge in question. The council has nothing else to say on the matter.”

A DfI spokesperson added: "The Blue bridge is not owned by DfI and as such we have no responsibility for its maintenance."

The degraded surface as welll as poor lighting has lead to the footbridge being compared to a "derleict" site.
The ownership question was initially raised by Lisburn North independent rep, Gary Hynds after reports from local people on the "shocking state" of the bridge.

Speaking to the LDRS, Cllr Hynds said: "I want to know what is the council going to do now? Everyone can't just simply wash their hands of a major safety issue in the district. There are women scared of going over the bridge at night.

"The surface needs repaired badly, there are no lights on the bridge itself and the lights at either end are not working or are so dull it makes the the place look derelict.

"The bridge, which is in sight of the council building (Lagan Valley Island) is in a shocking state and it needs to be repaired to make it safe, especially for women and children in our community. I will be raising this matter further at full council this month, somebody needs to step up."