Politicians have welcomed the announcement that £200,000 of funding has been secured to fix Kesh Bridge.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, and Erne North Councillor Paul Stevenson, welcomed the announcement of the £200,000 funding.

Mrs. Erskine said:”Kesh Bridge is a focal point in the village and as a tourist location, the state of disrepair was a real eyesore in what is otherwise a beautiful rural town.

“When I became a councillor in 2019, I made it a priority to see the pedestrian bridge fixed and restored.

“Whilst at the Assembly, I continued to lobby ministers on the need to repair this infrastructure.

“I am delighted that – as I reported on my social media in March – funding has been allocated and approved. It will improve the area greatly.

“Until now, it was a travesty that it has taken so long for the bridge to be fixed, so it will be welcome news for everyone.”

DUP Erne North Councillor Paul Stevenson added: “The fact that someone hasn’t been severely injured as a result of the poor condition of the bridge is only by a miracle.

“It is long past the time since the bridge should have been fixed.

“I pay tribute to my councillor predecessors, David Mahon and Deborah Erskine, who worked to secure an outcome on Kesh Bridge. In the Council, I was happy to see unanimous support for the restoration of the bridge.

“This funding has secured restoration of the pedestrian footbridge, retaining wall and car parking facility. It is a major boost to a rural village and should be widely welcomed.”