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Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has snubbed an opened ended invitation by Newry City Council seeking an explanation of the Ministers decision to proceed with a fixed bridge over Newry Ship Canal, saying that "due to diary commitments the Minister is unable to accept at this stage". A reply from the Minister was discussed at the 5 August 2024 full Council meeting.
Newry City Councillors Doire Finn and Killian Feehan had proposed at a Council meeting on 7/5/24 that Council write to the Minister "to request he meet with Council and explain why the decision was taken to proceed with a fixed bridge." The fixed bridge is part of a DfI Southern Relief Road project that aims to take traffic from Warrenpoint dual carriageway to the A1 over the Clanrye River and Newry Ship Canal. If built the fixed bridge will prevent access for tall ships and yachts that currently visit the city, bringing to an end nearly 300 years of maritime history. Campaigners locally are insisting that an opening bridge is essential.
At last weeks meeting Cllr Finn asked had the letter been sent from Council with a number of possible dates or was it an open invite. A Council official confirmed "There was no timeframe given to meet and that was followed on from the previous response, which had outlined that the minister was happy to meet."
Cllr Finn then suggested Council write again "I'm aware that the Minister is obviously very busy, but I think we should go back and ask him, is he that busy that he can't come here. So I would request that we just write back to ask is there at any stage would he be happy to come to Council."
Council Chairperson Cllr Pete Byrne added "Think it would be important as well to have knowledge of the next steps in that project moving on and that would narrow the timeframe for meeting with the Minister, because as a Council, if we have that timeframe, and then we have the diary commitments from the Minister and they may or may not be able to meet, we have an opportunity here as well to meet with an official instead so we can follow up and maybe get them dates."
Mournes Councillor Glyn Hanna thought the Ministers time was too valuable and suggested Council should go to meet him. "Just to be clear, are we going to meet the Minister or the Minister coming here to waste a half a day. Would it not be better going to the minister because I tell you if you're expecting him to come here for half a days time it's too valuable." Back at the May meeting Cllr Hanna had disagreed with sending the invitation "I believe it's unnecessary bringing a minister here to explain one of the most difficult decisions, and forward thinking decisions that has been taken in this area"
Cllr Finn said she was happy for Council to either go to meet the Minister or have him come to meet them "I think it's not a waste of the Ministers half a day. I think it's a really big decision that's being taken so if we have to go to the minister I think we should."
The Chairperson concluded with the discussion "If we can follow up with the Minister just on the timeframe and possibly get a meeting before the next stage of it. Either us going to the Minister, the Minister coming here or via Teams or whatever and in that absence arrange a meeting with a number of officials."
The Letter
The letter from the Ministers Private Secretary said:
Dear Ms Ward
PROPOSED LOW BRIDGE - NEWRY SOUTHERN RELIEF ROAD
Thank you for your invitation to Dfl Minister John O'Dowd MLA. I apologise for the delay in sending this reply.
Unfortunately, due to diary commitments the Minister is unable to accept at this stage.
Should you wish to meet with an official instead please contact --@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk and this will be passed to the relevant official in the Department.
