Write a commentMusic onboard tall ship Brian Boru on Newry Ship Canal in 2024, something that couldn't happen if a fixed bridge was in place. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
Newry City Councillors Doire Finn and Killian Feehan have secured a commitment that Newry Mourne and Down District Council will respond to the current DfI Southern Relief Road consultation, affirming opposition to any proposal for a fixed bridge over Newry Canal.
The proposal was made by Newry City Councillor, Cllr Doire Finn and seconded by Cllr Killian Feehan at last night's 3 February full Council meeting.
There were two parts to the proposal. One was to write to the new Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins MLA asking for her position on the bridge, and the other was for Council to reaffirm their opposition to a fixed bridge as part of the proposed road. The main purpose of the Southern Relief Road is to take traffic to and from Warrenpoint Port via a link road from Warrenpoint Dual Carriageway to the A1 Dublin to Belfast road. In 2024 Minister Kimmins predecessor John O'Dowd announced he was proceeding with a non-opening fixed bridge over the Canal, a structure that would bring to an end almost 300 years of maritime history in Newry.
Speaking after her proposal was agreed Newry City Councillor Doire Finn said: "I have supported the idea of a lifting bridge over the Canal since it has been raised with me, and I have raised this issue on a number of occasions throughout my time in council.
"Indeed, it was at my repeated insistence that we secured a meeting with the Infrastructure Minister to discuss this issue. Newry's maritime past and the history of the Canal is incredibly important to our city and our residents, and it is vitally important that we protect this asset moving forward. Along with this, given that Newry City Park is due to be completed by 2027, we must not close off the economic potential that this will bring to the canal."
Making her proposals during a discussion on Correspondence that included information on the project from the Department,
Cllr Doire Finn
Cllr Finn said "I'd like to make two proposals. Obviously, we have a new infrastructure minister who's in post today, and I'd like to congratulate her. I think that is an incredible achievement and I'd like to ask that we write to her to ask if her decision is going to be the same as her predecessor, and along with this, there is currently a consultation on the Southern Relief Road, and I'd like to ask that council reaffirms our opposition for any proposal for a fixed bridge through that consultation process"
Brian Cleland from Newry 2020, a community group that is campaigning against a fixed bridge welcomed the news "This is a huge step forward in the campaign to protect our Canal. We would like to thank Councillors Doire Finn and Killian Feehan for asking the council to oppose a fixed bridge, and to all councillors for backing their proposal. At last local election all the Newry parties supported our call for NO FIXED BRIDGE, and last night showed the importance of that pledge.
Brian Cleland, Newry 2020
"Just a few days ago, at the Southern Relief Road consultation event, DFI reps were insisting that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council supported the plan to close Newry Canal. Last night's makes it clear that our council does NOT support that plan, and that it is standing with the people to protect our local and national heritage."
Cllr Killian Feehan
Newry City Councillor Killian Feehan added: “It is encouraging that the Council has backed our call to respond to the Southern Relief Road consultation opposing a fixed bridge over the Canal.
“It would be incredibly short sighted if the Department for Infrastructure pushes ahead with a fixed bridge. People in Newry want our Canal to be protected and regenerated, not permanently shut off as part of a cost saving exercise. The Department needs to sit up and listen before it’s too late.”
Downpatrick Councillor Cadogan Enright wanted to amend the proposal with a request that the road design "needs to be looked at with a view to bringing the height of the bridge to an appropriate level for navigability by starting the slope as soon as it leaves the dual carriageway." but this wasn't accepted by Cllr Finn.
If you want to make a submission on the Southern Relief Road go to www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk where you will find details on how to do so.
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