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The seemingly endless saga of the Department for Infrastructure plans for a fixed bridge over Newry Ship Canal, as part of their Southern Relief Road Project, was once again brought up in the Council Chamber this week with correspondence on the matter from the DfI under discussion.
What was notable by its absence was any display of outrage by councillors that DfI would even consider putting a fixed bridge over Newry City's greatest asset. In fact the strongest term heard was 'disappointing' probably not a term that is really going to make any organisation change their mind.
Several councillors discussed the matter, although due to the quality of the council's sound recording it may never be known exactly what they said! Councillor Michael Savage was first to speak, the gist of the conversation being that the Shared Island Fund should be approached for funding to 'bridge the gap' although 'open the gap' might have been a more appropriate term! Whether this move would have any potential to bring in additional funding is unknown. What is known is that the Irish Government are already heavily involved financially in the building of the 'opening' Narrow Water Bridge just a few miles closer to Warrenpoint.
Shared Island Funding
Cllr Savage said: “We’ve had shortfalls before and on a previous occasion the Southern government has stepped in on Shared Island Unit funding for mutual benefit projects.
“From that perspective I believe we should be considering making an approach to the Taoiseach, similar to finding the funding we didn’t have in the North when it came to much needed funds for nurse training at Magee college in Derry.
“We need to be able to see beyond the short term potential.
“None of us 50 years ago would not have foreseen the effect of mobile phones on society, so what is to say in the next 50 years what would be possible in engineering.
"It is very important that we protect key assets, such as Newry Canal.
“I believe the jewel in the crown is Newry as a tourism destination potentially down the line.”
He added: “We should be contacting the permanent secretary and ask if there can be engagement with the Shared Island Unit to explore solutions for tall ships and other vessels to be able to pass under the bridge into Albert Basin and the canal.
“We should also be engaging with the Shared Island Unit and the Taoiseach himself to help bridge the gap.”
Extremely Disappointing
Fellow Newry City Councillor Cathal King was next to speak with the gist of his comments being that the DfI decision to continue with a fixed bridge blocking the canal was ' extremely disappointing' and that he would request an urgent meeting with DfI. The difficulty with this is that as part of a motion by Cllr King in March 2023 when he was at that stage just 'deeply disappointed' at the DfI decision, the motion also called for an urgent meeting with DfI! This meeting never happened so whether this new call will succeed in a face to face is anyones guess. Newry.ie asked Sinn Féin why this meeting never happened and what was different this time re seeking an urgent meeting but they never replied.
Cllr King said “In March this year I brought forward a motion, urging DFI to reconsider their decision to proceed with a fixed bridge for the Southern Relief Road.
“Despite this motion passing, the response we received from DFI tells us that they intend to proceed with their decision.
“This is extremely disappointing.
“Sinn Féin has consistently campaigned for a lifting bridge, with my colleague, Liz Kimmins MLA raising the issue many times with Infrastructure Ministers in the Assembly.
“We believe that a fixed bridge would hinder our chances to fully develop the tourism potential of Newry and its historic waterways as part of the overall regeneration plan."
The Newry City councillor concluded “We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Department to continue to raise the communities support for a lifting bridge design that would allow for the use and future development of the historic Newry Canal and its basin."
Allow passage of tall ships
Councillor Andrew McMurray added to the discussion "When it comes to the letter going back to the Permanent Secretary I think we have to reiterate again that any design or bridge that is going to prevent the access of tall ships must not be considered" he said.
Cllr McMurray added "The crux of the matter is it needs to be navigable by tall ships ergo any plan that comes back to us should allow the passage of tall ships." It's not known if this request was added to Cllr's proposal.
Cllr Glyn Hanna also spoke but it was impossible to hear what he said.
The Newry Southern Relief Road project has received £93.4m in funding from Belfast Region City Deal.
The DfI letter stated to NMDDC that its Major Project South team will progress the scheme to the next development stage. This will include and Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), which will be subject to a public consultation.
Fixed bridge over Newry Canal continuing to 'next development stage'
Additional reporting from Donal McMahon/ Local Democracy Reporter
