Write a comment
The British Government have paused Belfast Region City Deal money in a move that could cause some concern in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area with several major projects depending on the funding. It's uncertain the reason for the move.
The City Deal money has been allocated several projects locally including the controversial Newry Southern Relief Road project which was awarded a whopping £93.4m. The project aims to build a road from the Warrenpoint dual carriageway to the A1 cutting off Newry to yachts and tall ships in the process with a fixed bridge over Newry Ship Canal. Additionally £30m funding was promised for the Mourne Mountains Gateway Gondola project and £8m for Newry City Centre regeneration Public Realm work.
MLA Justin McNulty has said that a decision must be reversed.
The SDLP group on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have called for a special council meeting to take place to discuss the issue.
Mr McNulty said “The idea of City Deals for parts of the North originated with the SDLP and we have fought for years to secure this vital commitment from the UK Government to invest in key projects that will provide much needed infrastructure, boost our economy and create jobs.
“It is totally unacceptable that the rug has been pulled out from under us at such a late stage. Whatever financial pressures the UK Government are facing, this is totally the wrong way to go about this, threatening projects that will change the face of Newry city centre and boost our tourism offering right across this area.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Group Leader councillor Gareth Sharvin said “I think it is vitally important that council meets at the earliest possible opportunity to show a united front against this decision from the government. I believe that the best way to do this is through a special meeting and we submitted that request shortly after this news broke today.
“The UK Government must reverse this decision so that towns and cities right across the North get the vital regeneration they have been waiting for. From Westminster to our local councils the SDLP will continue to make that case until this decision is overturned and these important projects get the funding they were promised.
“This is an area that has suffered from a lack of government investment for generations and to take away £200m from Newry, Mourne and Down with the positive difference it could make is unthinkable. We simply can’t allow this to happen.”
