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The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Newry and Portadown branch have said that they struggle to understand why Newry Canal seems to come last in governmental decisions locally. The charity add that if Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd's decision to build a fixed bridge over Newry Ship Canal as part of the Department for Infrastructure's Southern Relief Road Project is upheld they will oppose the project entirely.
Speaking out about plans to block access to the Albert Basin in Newry to tall ships and yachts Tanya Duffy, IWAI Newry and Portadown Chairperson said "It is extremely disheartening that the incumbent Minister for Infrastructure has officially announced DFI are going ahead with a fixed bridge, with only a 12m clearance over the last fully navigable part of the Newry canal.
"Such a disappointing short sighted decision by the minister and DFI when the rest of the world can see what full access to the canal and Albert Basin can mean to Newry.
"Never mind ignoring almost 300 years of active industrial heritage, it also removes the chance of utilising the canal and Albert Basin to its full potential as a destination, a hub, an attraction, anything other than drainage which is all the authorities wish it to be."
Duffy continued "In the letter sent on behalf of the minister, it stated the fixed bridge does the least damage to the protected scheduled monument. During the consultation process the project team repeatedly demonstrated that the cheapest option for a moveable bridge caused the same impact to the scheduled monument as the fixed bridge so that on its own merit is not an excuse to cut the canal in half.
"Additionally one of the reasons for the opening bridge at Warrenpoint was to maintain full access to the ship canal and Albert Basin, why then would you travel half the canal to go no further."
Unique vibrant maritime city
Speaking about the asset the Canal is to the entire community Duffy said "From an economic stand-point, it actually prevents an entire section of potential economic, recreational, and environmental benefits to Newry that would generate increased footfall and revenues for the City and surroundings. Having an opening bridge is not just for the few, it is an asset to communities, charities, and the public of Newry, and it ensures current and future generations have the ability to create a unique vibrant maritime city to be proud of."
She concluded "We as a volunteer led community group struggle to understand why the canal always comes last in governmental decisions in Newry, and without having a voice the canal and basin will be consigned to history rather than continuing to be a part of it.
"Based on the minister’s response, the IWAI Newry Portadown branch is fully opposing to the road in its entirety if the decision for a fixed bridge is upheld. We demand that NMD District Council refuse to accept the fixed bridge decision, while also identifying any funding or grant streams available, so that an opening bridge can be included. The ideas and money are there, it just needs the right people to be motivated enough in the council and government departments to fight for continued unimpaired access to the Albert Basin, as Newry city and the Canal at the heart of it deserves so much more than this."
