Mattie McGrath: Urges action after Adfinan bridge plan blocked
Mattie McGrath raised concerns about a troubled bridge in Adfinan, criticising the NTA's rejection of a freestanding walkway recommended by Rogan Donovan Consultants. He argued the decision leaves an unsafe, temporary one-way system that endangers school children and urged national agencies and the minister to approve the active travel proposal.
Proposal details
McGrath read a letter from Margaret Egan of Adfinan Community Council and outlined the appraisal carried out by Rogan Donovan Consultants. The independent report recommended a separate, freestanding walkway as the safest option for pedestrians and suggested it should receive active travel funding.
Funding and process concerns
He criticised the NTA's decision to remove the proposal from the 2023 roads programme and noted the amount spent on consultants' reports, saying that cost could almost have built the bridge. McGrath described the NTA's rejection as a negative outcome after an external review supported the separate bridge proposal.
Safety concerns for locals
McGrath highlighted ongoing safety issues at the site, including a one-way system, temporary lights and a risk to school children and young people. He called the current arrangement "very unsafe" and appealed for a sensible response from national agencies.
Advocacy and calls for action
He praised Councillor Michael Anglum as a proactive advocate on the issue and said he had raised the matter with the minister. McGrath urged the NTA and other authorities to approve and proceed with the active travel proposal, arguing the independent review identified it as the best way forward.
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I have a letter here from Margaret Egan, Adfinan Community Council. It concerns a troubled bridge over tranquil waters in the village of Adfinan. You came two years ago and gave great hope. The County Council appointed Rogan Donovan Consultants to do an appraisal of it. They suggested a new walkway, a separate freestanding walkway for the safety of pedestrians, the safest option. You told them under active travel they should get funding. I was there listening to you. You had a lot of pomp about it and the ceremony and the plum. But now the NTA have rejected the proposal paid for by taxpayers' money. The amount of money spent on consultants' reports would nearly build the bridge at this stage. And here we are now with a negative. And it's removed from the 2023 roads programme with the NTA. I just abolished it. And we're left with still a one-way system there. Unsafe, dangerous, temporary lights and all. You saw it yourself. So I'm appealing for sanity here. When a report was commissioned, an independent report, and a safe bridge suggested, the NTA have removed it, actually, out of their consideration. But you're correct. I think Councillor Michael Anglum, I'm sure you'd agree with me, has been a very strong and proactive advocate for this. To be fair, to Michael Anglum, no. And I went down and I, an external review took place. The NTA should approve this, this separate proposal, given that the independent review said this was the best way to go. I've spoken with the Minister in respect of this as well. And I do believe there has to be a balance and there has to be a proper response from national agencies as well. This is very unsafe. It's unacceptably unsafe for school children and young people. And sometimes we have to do things outside of the box. The external review came forward with a separate bridge. Active travel proposal, I see nothing wrong with it. And the authorities should proceed with it. Thank you.
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