McNulty calls for Assembly support for 'reopening and revitalising' Newry Canal

Following Newry, Mourne and Down Council's plans to engage with Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council in relation to options for Newry Canal, local MLA Justin McNulty has called for Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots to support ‘reopening and revitalising’ Newry Canal to allow inlands waterway navigation from Carlingford Lough to Lough Neagh.

Speaking after his contribution on the Environment Strategy in the Assembly yesterday, the Newry & Armagh MLA commented "Newry Canal is the oldest shipping canal on these islands. It’s an incredible feat of engineering which connects Newry with Portadown and is a hugely important part of our maritime and waterway’s history. We know how well utilised the towpath is, and how critical outdoor spaces like this have been in the context of safeguarding mental health during the pandemic, so it’s clear that the demand is there from local people for investment and enhancement of this waterway.

"I have been lobbying in the Assembly for a cross-departmental approach to leverage the untapped potential of Newry Canal and I am meeting with local stakeholders to drive this issue forward. That will require input and support, not just from the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, but also the Departments of Infrastructure, Education, Economy, Finance and, of course Health.

McNulty added "Newry Canal is an untapped resource which, if reconstructed, reopened, rewilded, restocked and revitalised, could provide a big boost to our local tourism sector. The Canal also has environmental and ecological significance, which provides an opportunity for our young people to immerse themselves in learning about our local environment and ecosystems and what they need to do to protect it for future generations.  

"I will continue to drive the importance of investment and attention for Newry Canal. We have an incredible local asset right in our back yard and we need to make sure that its full potential is realised as an exciting vibrant healthy green artery through our countryside."