The Arney Bridge
AN historic bridge, near Belnaleck, which, anecdotally, is linked to a famous battle between the Ulster chieftains and the English army in 1594, is to be strengthened.
The scheme follows a recent £86,000 bridge strengthening at Maguiresbridge and, prior to that, a £200,000 bridge repair and corrosion protection to the 50-year old Cleenish Bridge over the River Erne, also near Belnaleck.
That scheme lasted 16 weeks.
The scheme was welcomed by roads minister, Danny Kennedy.
“It is important that we properly maintain and protect the limited number of steel structures that remain across the province.”
The bridge at Arney was twice damaged by British by army vehicles in the 1950s and again in the 1970s.
Each time, it was repaired with concrete blocks and poured concrete to the copings.
In the late 17th century, it was a narrow three span, stone bridge carrying the Mullanavehy Road over the River Arney.
The bridge is located in a rural setting surrounded by small fields and hedgerows. There is a ramp from road level down to the river on the west side of the bridge on both banks.
The river bank to the east has been strengthened with concrete armouring on the north side and timber piles on the south.
The road from Derrylin to Enniskillen that passes over Arney Bridge was selected for reconstruction as the main coach road in the mid 18th Century. This was due to its good clay sub-soil base.
The bridge is shown on the 1st Edition OS (Ordnance Survey) map of 1835.
Brick fields are also indicated on the south bank to the east and west of the bridge.
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