Castlerock's historic railway bridge will reopen next Friday, 8 May, following a major refurbishment commissioned by the local authority.

The listed wrought iron structure, which was removed in October 2018 due to safety concerns and significant decay, has been carefully restored and reinstalled, marking an important milestone for the area's heritage.

The £730,000 project, delivered by Adman Civil Projects, involved complex overnight operations over the past two weekends to lift the bridge back into its original position.

Welcoming the reinstalment, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: "I am delighted to welcome the return of Castlerock's historic railway bridge. "This has been a significant investment for Causeway Coast and Glens Council, and we have worked hard to ensure it delivers long-term value by preserving an important part of our local heritage. "This well-known landmark holds a special place in the hearts of the local community here in Castlerock, and it's been encouraging to see such strong local interest and support throughout the restoration process."

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Chief Executive of Causeway Coast and Glens, David Jackson added: "This has been a complex and demanding project requiring specialist engineering, delivered under significant constraints, including the closure of the railway line, which inevitably impacted the progress of the project. "Throughout, the safety of railway users and the wider public remained our highest priority. "After many years of closure and a substantial investment of ratepayers' money, we are pleased to see this iconic structure fully restored and preserved for future generations."

Paul McBurney, Translink Head of Structures said: "Translink welcomes the restoration of this historic pedestrian bridge at Castlerock Train Station. "We have worked with Causeway Coast and Glens Council, who carried out the restoration work, to facilitate their plans to reinstate the bridge and hope it will be enjoyed by the local community, passengers and all those that visit the village."