The Northern Irish government has decided to halt plans for a new bridge in Belfast “indefinitely” over ongoing legal proceedings around how infrastructure projects are approved and funded.

The Ormeau Bridge is planned for walking and cycling but the project is being put on hold because of legal issues around the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

The chief executive of Belfast City Council has criticised the decision as “making no sense,” while councillors agreed to demand that the Department for Infrastructure press ahead with the new bridge, which locals have been waiting on for over 10 years.

The Irish News says John Walsh made the comments during a council committee meeting in which councillors agreed to to call for the government to press ahead with the new bridge, which locals have been waiting for for more than 10 years.

Last year, a court ruled the DfI plans for the A5 did not comply with climate change targets.

(Picture – Belfast Region City Deal)