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Last night saw an Emergency Motion put forward at the monthly meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council urging the Department for Infrastructure to 'reconsider' their decision to progress with a fixed bridge over Newry Ship Canal.
Just under two years ago on 10 May 2021 Councillors met and agreed to send a document to the Department for Infrastructure entitled 'Maritime leisure and tourism at Albert Basin'. The document essentially told the DfI not to waste a second of their time thinking of an opening bridge over Newry Canal as part of their Southern Relief Road project as it was not financially viable, and further said Tall Ships can go to Warrenpoint instead. At the same meeting it was agreed to accompany their 'execution warrant' with a 'love letter' saying that they really would prefer a lifting bridge.
As we now know the DfI threw that 'love letter' in the bin and last night's emergency motion at the March full council meeting calling for them to reconsider their decision will most likely follow it there.
The motion and all councillors who spoke stopped short of demanding what is rightfully in their remit, ie stating that a fixed bridge will not be allowed on council/our property, (the Canal). Instead words like 'reconsider' and 'disappointment' were used in reference to a decision that will have a catastrophic and permanant effect on the tourist potential of Newry City. Yes the word 'demanding' was used once but only in relation to a "first rate bridge" not an opening bridge!
The Motion
Last night's emergency motion was proposed by new Newry City Councillor, Cllr Cathal King and seconded by Cllr Valerie Harte. The motion stated:
"That this Council is deeply disappointed with the Department for Infrastructures decision to proceed with a fixed bridge design for the Newry Southern Relief Road, stresses that the local community has made clear their support for an opening bridge for the Albert Basin to remain unhindered and open to navigation, recognises the potential of our waterways and their historical and cultural importance for the area and urges the Department for Infrastructure to reconsider their decision to proceed with a fixed bridge design."
First Class City Park
Following reading his motion Cllr King said "Over the last number of years, there has been clear opposition across the Newry, Mourne and Down area for the option for the Southern Relief Road design to be a fixed bridge. The local community and elected representatives have made this clear, that they wish to see a lifting bridge option, which would ensure the Albert Basin in Newry would remain unhindered and open to navigation, particularly for tall ships and vessels. Our waterways are a fantastic resource which are a significant part of our rich heritage in this area and the decision announced by the DfI last week to proceed with a fixed bridge has been met with huge disappointment across the district. As we look to regenerate Newry city with the ongoing development of a first class city park at the Albert Basin, and the greenway linking Newry to Carlingford, making sure our waterways fulfill their potential can play a key role in developing tourism and economic prosperity of this area. I therefore would ask members to support this motion tonight, requesting DFI to listen to the people of this district and urgently reconsider this short sighted decision for a fixed bridge.
Realise Long Term Potential
Next to speak on the motion was Slieve Gullion Councillor David Taylor. "Whenever the news broke last week regarding this I think it was a big disappointment to everybody involved in obviously the wider projects in terms of regeneration projects in Newry and certainly, I think the clear desire, that has already been mentioned by Councillor King from a lot of groups and community representatives and indeed the wider community that if Newry was going to realise the full long term potential of its waterway we needed a lifting bridge so I'm certainly happy to support the motion."
Cllr Taylor asked for an amendment to the motion to get a council representation to meet with senior Department for Infrastructure officials on the issue. "It's ok that we urge the Department for Infrastructure to reconsider their decision but I also think it would be important for our council representation to meet with them. Purdah sets in next month but if we could get a discussion with senior officials in the Department of Infrastructure prior to that, to outline our viewpoints on it, to try and articulate the views of the local community on this issue. And whilst I understand finance is an issue as part of it as well, that's something we can interogate with them in a discussion. I just fear that just by asking for a review they will not give it the necessary importance it requires."
Newry always comes second best
Newry City Councillor Gary Stokes said Newry always seems to come second best in matters like this. He said "It's something I have campaigned on for a number of years for an opening bridge as part of the Southern Relief Road. Yet another example where Newry always seems to come second best. It is deeply alarming Chair, you were part of a delegation of Newry Councillors two years ago that met the outgoing Minister Nichola Mallon and it is deeply worrying that this decision has been taken during a time of democratic deficit. We don't have a local minister in place. I don't believe this decision would be taken if a local minister was in place."
Cllr Stokes also asked for an amendment to "further request the Department to delay a final decision, until such time that a local minister is in place. I do believe that's important simply because this decision has been taken by civil servants, with all due respect to them. We are told that civil servants should not take major decisions on policy like this."
Lifting Bridge
Slieve Croob Councillor Andrew McMurray added his party's support to the motion and amendments adding "It was always our opinion about lifting bridges"
Abstaining
Mournes Councillor Glynn Hanna, a Board Member of Warrenpoint Port said "I know at the time I was not in favour of of a lifting bridge going across the Southern Relief Road and I made it very clear the last time. In saying that, this raises all sorts of issues."
Cllr Hanna added "Once you pass the Narrow Water, you cannot turn a ship, you'd have to reverse out, they have to turn up in the Albert Basin. If this happens, there's no lifting bridge, there's no point in having one at Narrow Water Bridge."
Council Chairperson and Newry City Councillor Michael Savage interjected with a 'point of information' Cllr Savage said "I think the one at Narrow Water Bridge was for the mussel boats to go up and down for access, from the conversations I've had on the matter, so I think that was the primary thing for it, but obviously as a result of that it also facilitated, tall ships coming up, but just for clarity on that I think that will stay because of the need for the mussel boats on the lough."
Cllr Hanna continued * "There is 47 foot of clearance there to the water. I know that wouldn't accommodate the very largest of the tall ships but there's a lot of them taller ships, the mast actually can be lowered. I suspect quite a few of them will be able to get in so at this moment in time, we won't be voting in favour but we'll be abstaining on this motion."
Warrenpoint Port Expansion
Cllr Savage spoke of the need for the Southern Relief road to help expand Warrenpoint Port and to improve the health of constituents. Cllr Savage said "As a Newry Councillor representing that side of the lough as well. There is a big need for this road on two fronts. Warrenpoint Port is badly in need of it for expansion and we're all being very supportive of meeting that need. Also the health and wellbeing of the constituents that I and Councillor Stokes and other Newry Councillors represent here that are breathing in the fumes of HGV lorries going through narrow streets, that would otherwise be taken away from the city and onto the main arterial routes on the eastern seaboard.
"But the bottom line is this - Up until the 90's Newry was a backwater town for investment for 70/80 years since partition, we got very little in the way of inward investment. we fought hard for it. When the peace came we got our arterial route between Dublin and Belfast and a lot of the regeneration that has been done was driven entirely within the district here and we've great work coming now, we've got great opportunity with the Belfast Region City Deal. The point I make is if we're going to do this once in a generation let's do it right. Because so many times over the years when decisions were made, Newry just accepted second best, we were just glad to get it, but the days of that is over."
Cllr Savage continued "We should be demanding the first rate bridge that does meet the potential for our district and the development of our tourism product, where potentially in the next 10 to 25 years, within the next generation we may look at engineering solutions that could open our Newry Canal, the oldest navigational canal on this island if not these islands, so to just take a Civil Service decision and accept it, I think is wrong.
"I think this Council made it very clear that while the economic appraisal made difficult reading to support it on a financial basis, we were saying that the spirit of installing that bridge as a lifting bridge was to allow for the future development and potential development of our tourism product, given what we are hoping to do in the next decade of opportunity. So I think it's very important that Councillor King brought this motion tonight. I was delighted that he did and I fully support him for doing that. But I think the message has to go back as Councillor Stokes has said. This decision was taken by Civil Servants, it should be taken by a Minister who has the capacity to make a political decision based on recognising the potential beyond economic appraisals, and I think that Newry as a city deserves to ensure that when you do get infrastructure investment, that it's what we need, long, short and medium term as well, so I would be very supportive of the motion."
Smell a Rat
Crotlieve Councillor Declan McAteer believed the DfI reasoning for making their decision without a minister hadn't been explained properly. Cllr McAteer said "I'd be inclined to support Cllr Stokes's proposition to include an amendment regarding waiting till a minister was appointed whenever that will be. I know and appreciate that we would like to see movement on this as soon as possible. But to an extent I do smell a bit of a rat on this one in that it seemed to be a flag of convenience, the Executive Formation Act 2022 whereby Civil Servants can make decisions. I didn't see any great effort at explaining how this decision was made and how it would be a non ministerial decision because coincidentally our last minister Mallon was to go off in 21 to make a decision based on the plans and I must say I agree with those that are campaigning for an opening bridge that the 60 year projections was laughable to be honest with you in terms of projecting what the economic impact this would have or would not have on Newry that far down the road. It's a bit like saying after 1922 that Ireland would be the exact same type of place as it was 2022 which it hasn't so I think that was a bit of a non runner in terms of being a credible position to take."
Bells and Whistles
Wrapping up the discussion Chairperson Savage concluded "I think as a council, I think we all agree that we see the need for example, and we're very supportive of the need that has been expressed by Warrenpoint Port and we want to see this delivered as quickly as possible. I think the point that we as council are making, the majority of what I'm hearing in the chamber tonight is why not do it with the bells and whistles approach, as opposed to making do as we said earlier on."
The motion was carried with 26 for, 0 against and 4 abstentions from DUP and TUV.
* Comments by Cllr Glyn Hanna regarding bridge height were incorrect. The proposed height is 12m/ 39ft not 47ft. Also tall ship masts from heritage ships can't just be lowered as he claims.
Moving Bridge Required
In reply to the Councillors comments Tanya Duffy, Chairperson, IWAI Newry and Portadown said "The misonomer around the situation is that people keep thinking that it is a lifting bridge that is required. It is not a lifting bridge that is required, it is a moving bridge, whether it be up down, left or right. The cost would be far less if it is a moving bridge from left to right rather than a lifting bridge. There is less mechanics to deal with. But at the same time it is a moving bridge that we need. We do not want a fixed bridge."
"If he says no to that, he says no to the Tall Ships coming back in, he says no to the day trips out to the end of the ship canal, he says no to the training vessels, the charities that are running training schemes for youth and for people who want to learn about boating and we say goodbye to a meaningful Maritime Festival that we could be holding in Newry.
"Yes newer boats do have certain mechanisms that allow masts to be moved to the side or lowered but the boats that we would be looking to bring in from a tourism point of view would not have that facility."
