ABC councillors have endorsed Department for Communities (DfC) plans to list Clontylew Bridge, a former railway bridge on the Clontylew Road, Portadown.
The 19th-century architectural landmark is a single-arch masonry road bridge over the former Dungannon-to-Portadown railway line.
It was designed and built between 1855 and 1858 by railway engineer, William Dargan.
Its architectural style, proportion and embellishment are typical of the mid-1800s, and DfC consider it to be a fine example from that period.
DfC also deem the bridge to be of local historical interest, as a tangible reminder of the former railway line between Dungannon and Portadown that makes a positive contribution to the landscape.
The site is located within a rural area, on a Protected Disused Rail Track, and is approximately 1km south of the small settlement of Tartaraghan.
In its response to DfC, ABC Council does not object to the listing of the railway bridge, however council officers added the following: “It should be noted that the council would be supportive of the property owner, if they were to raise any concerns in relation to the proposed listing of Clontylew Bridge.”
The matter was raised at last Tuesday’s (July 2) ABC Planning & Regulatory Services committee meeting.
The recommendation to approve the ABC Council’s draft response to DfC was proposed by Councillor Paul Duffy (SF, Portadown DEA) and seconded by Councillor Peter Lavery (Alliance, Lurgan DEA).
