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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Councillors have met with the Department for Infrastructure to discuss the Departments proposals for a fixed bridge over Newry Ship Canal as part of their Southern Relief Road project. A fixed bridge over the canal would be catastrophic for the canal's future as it would instantly bring to an end visits by tall ships and yachts to the city.
It follows a motion by Newry City Cllr Cathal King calling for Department for Infrastructure representatives to come before council to give an update on the Southern Relief Road project.
Just last weekend community group Newry 2020 hosted 11 two hour tall ship cruises down Newry Ship Canal, over 5 days as part of their Iúr Cinn Fleadh festivities. Every passenger on every trip could not get over what a wonderful and beautiful trip this was and could not understand why it would be even considered to close of the unique iconic listed monument.
For the DfI to include a bridge across the canal that opens, as part of the Southern Relief Road would involve a spend of approximately 10% more on the scheme but this is something that the department seems determined not to do.
Crisis of their own making?
It could be said that Councillors are trying to blame the DfI for a crisis of their own making and salvage the potentially terminal damage carried out by themselves, when they voted (12 for - 2 against) at the 10/5/2021 Enterprise Regeneration and Tourism meeting for the Council to send the "Executive Summary-Martime Leisure and Tourism at Albert Basin" document to the DfI, a decision which was ratified at full council in June 2021. We understand the stated document clearly said that Councillors preferred option was for a fixed bridge over our iconic ship canal.
Heritage
Also speaking after last night's meeting Newry Councillor Michael Savage said “The Department for Infrastructure needs to engage in more detailed consultation with Heritage and Environment officials (HED) to secure a non-fixed bridge engineering solution to the proposed Southern Relief Road.
"While I appreciate the time taken by Department officials to advise of the challenges facing the delivery of the Southern Relief Road and appreciate the need for us to move as quickly as possible to deliver this much needed scheme, I am disappointed that there appears to be no willingness to come up with a non-fixed bridge engineering solution to the road.
“In the presentation from the DFI engineers it appears that the cheapest option of providing a non fixed bridge solution would be in the region of £10.4 million based on a 20 metre span across Newry Canal and that is why I believe this option needs to be exhausted and further discussed with Heritage and Environment Division as while we need to protect the historic monument status of Newry Canal we also need to protect its tourism potential.
“Officials have told us that they have to consider the heritage of the built structure of the canal and also the functionality of the canal. I believe more must be done to protect the functionality of the canal and get the balance right. HED consultation has the potential to unlock the potential for an opening bridge solution."
Following the meeting an SDLP representative added "The SDLP will continue to pursue an engineering solution that protects the tourism potential of Newry Canal, the Albert Basin and our City's Waterways."
Is the protection of the structure from a 20 metre span opening bridge more important than the protection of the functionality of the canal?
Newry City Councillor Doire Finn added "This option needs to be further explored in a transparent manner so that the strong local lobby for an opening bridge can see that the most viable and cost-effective option has been seriously considered in a fully consultative way encompassing all tourism potential, environmental and engineering considerations.
“I believe a full formal HED consultation is crucial as it will determine if those responsible for the heritage and protection of the Ireland’s oldest navigational canal view the protection of the structure with the impact of the 20 metre span as more important than the protection of the functionality of the canal. That is why this element needs to be exhausted and taken fully into account.
“If this is done now it may either remove this option as a serious concern and potentially remove it as a catalyst for a Public Inquiry or put this option as a serious design option in the final bridge design. We need to ensure that we have no regrets when the first sod is cut on this much needed project.”
Hinder Tourism Potential
Newry City Councillor Aidan Mathers also spoke out after the meeting. Cllr Mathers said "It is deeply disappointing that despite this motion passing, the response we received from DFI states that they intend to proceed with their decision.
"I questioned the officials asking if they have even contemplated the loss of tourism to Newry by taking this course of action & how people in our town actually feel about this.
"A fixed bridge will hinder our chances to develop the full tourism potential of our town’s historic waterways.
"Sinn Féin will continue to raise the communities support for a lifting bridge that would allow for the use and future development of the historic Newry Canal and its basin."
Following the meeting fellow Newry Councillor Cathal King said "By retaining access to our waterways, this project could help fully develop the tourism potential of Newry and its historic waterways as part of the overall regeneration plan.
"Despite making this very clear to DFI this evening, it seems they are intent to continue with the fixed bridge option.
"This decision is extremely disappointing, and will hinder the tourism potential of Newry Canal.
"Sinn Féin will continue to work with other parties and community groups to press for a lifting bridge to help fully realise the exciting tourism potential of Newry and its historic waterways."
Presently the Department for Infrastructure are conducting an Environmental Impact Assesment on the Southern Relief Road project. If you would like to put your comments forward you can email them at nsrrConsultations@aecom.com
