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A decision on what form the bridge over Newry Ship Canal will take will have to be made before draft Statutory Orders and a Environmental Impact Assessment Report are published, although in the absence of the Stormont Assembly it may be down to a decision by a senior officer in the Department for Infrastructure rather that the Infrastructure Minister. Concerns have been raised with the DfI regarding the current proposal of a 12 metre high fixed bridge that would cut access to the Albert Basin in Newry for tall ships and yachts forever.
The preparation and publication of the reports are the next stage in the progress of the project that plans to improve accessibility to Warrenpoint Port by linking the A2 Warrenpoint dual carriageway at Greenbank with the A1 Belfast to Dublin dual carriageway, via a route over the Newry River and historic Ship Canal and across the Flagstaff Road.
The Department for Infrastructure are progressing the Southern Relief Road project with work continuing to finalise the design. The current proposal for a 12 metre fixed bridge across Newry Ship Canal would end 250 years of unhindered navigation into the Albert Basin in the heart of Newry City.
A DfI spokesperson said that "concerns have been raised about the proposed bridge potentially restricting access for taller vessels, including tall ship navigation, to the Albert Basin". The Department say they have considered a range of factors relating to a possible opening bridge, but these haven't been made public and it's not known if the factors rule the opening bridge in or out!
The spokesperson added that the department is checking if, in the absence of the Stormont Assembly, they could address the bridge issue through the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022 which allows a senior department officer to make decisions if they are satisfied it's in the public interest. The spokesperson said "The Department is currently reviewing if this issue could be addressed via a decision taken under the auspices of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022. The estimated cost of the scheme will be reviewed once a decision on the bridge over Newry Ship Canal is made and will factor in the construction price inflation that has taken place since the initial funding allocation was made."
The DfI estimate the project will cost £85-£100m (2022) without an opening bridge and estimate that an opening structure would cost in the range of an additional £18-£32m over 60 years. £93m has already been signed off by the Belfast Region City Deal.
Following the publication of draft Statutory Orders and the EIAR, a public consultation will take place. Depending on feedback received through the consultation, a Public Inquiry may then be required. The DfI say that completion of the statutory procedures, procurement and construction is likely to take around 6 ½ years from the publication of any draft statutory orders.
