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Yes straight into 2013 and the Newry Nark is moaning again, this time over trying to get on to that lovely barge parked outside the Canal Court as part of the Public Realm Scheme starting later this year!
It appears the latest proposals from Newry and Mourne Council and the DSD regarding the upgrade of the Newry Canal banks as part of the Newry Masterplan Public Realm Scheme are causing differences of opinion from local groups and individuals.
Newry Maritime Association has welcomed the new work as the first Canal investment in living memory and says the works complimented by new street furniture, public art, trees, horticulture and public lighting will create a welcome recreational facility for residents and visitors alike.
On the other hand the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Newry and Portadown Branch see it resulting in the canal effectively becoming an "Ornamental Lake" with no facilities in place for access to the canal by canoeists etc or even mooring rings for boats or barges.
It does appear that there is a conflict between what the scheme suggests it is delivering and what it actually is though.
It's interesting that Artists impressions of the area after the upgrade work clearly shows a barge outside the Canal Court Hotel but the image also clearly shows that there is no way of getting on or of it without climbing up and over railings or swimming to shore! There are certainly no mooring facilities on view.
Here at Newry.ie we would welcome the arrival of barges moored along the canal from Dublin Bridge to Sugar Island. We know they would have to be put in place by cranes at present but this would only be a minor inconvenience resulting in a major attraction.
Just imagine walking arm in arm with your lover on a balmy possibly even dry summers evening from the Albert Basin into town along a series of barges in use as restaurants or bars or craft shops. The birds are singing, the swans are gracefully wandering along the canal ....
Ok I'll not get carried away any more but It would be unique and from where we are standing should be something that Newry and Mourne Council should be positively encouraging and in fact seeking out potential investors for the boats as soon as possible if not earlier.
It works in many towns and villages around Ireland and the UK so why not here. Come on Newry keep the progress moving but give our city a unique selling point. You can't use safety as a reason to cordon of our Canal, it's just ludicrous.
