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The Minister for Infrastructure is to be summoned to a council chamber to explain his refusal to consider an opening bridge design in Newry.
The development of the Southern Relief Road is planned to have a non-opening bridge over Newry Ship Canal to link traffic from Warrenpoint harbour area to the A1 bypass for onward journeys to Belfast and Dublin.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) had requested the minister to reconsider his permanent secretary’s decision during the collapsed Assembly, to have a closed bridge and instead approve an open bridge to allow tall ships to sail into the city’s Albert Basin as a tourism boost to the area.
However, in a letter addressed to the council as well as constituency MLAs and MPs, Minister O’Dowd confirmed, “the decision for a 50m span fixed bridge remains unchanged”.
Newry Sinn Fein rep, Cllr Cathal King said "this is a project that has been hovering around for some time and I think we have to be very conscious that we don't delay the greater transformation to the Newry area. The crux of it is it's disappointing that this decision was taken at a time when the assembly was down and no minister was in place.
"The Sinn Féin team in Newry worked hard lobbying for a lifting bridge and we were pleased that the current infrastructure minister had carried out a review of the decision, in an effort to ensure all options were exhausted for a lifting bridge.
However and ultimately significant financial constraints placed on the executive due to a Tory government underfunding has meant a lifting bridge isn't affordable. A key point for needing a lifting bridge was to ensure that Newry's canal was being utilised to its fullest and it was therefore looked at as part of the larger regeneration project that is ahead of us such as the development around Newry city park and the new Greenway.
" I think it's important and to ask the Council for some advice regarding regeneration and the team that help with that to ensure and to really benefit the people in Newry that they are enhancing our waterways from a cultural standpoint. I think it's necessary for the council to explore alternative strategies such as optimising waterway usage and I'm keen to hear if there is any long term strategy in place and if there is not at the moment can this be further looked into."
Newry SDLP rep, Killian Feehan said: “Newry’s maritime past and the history of the canal is part of the town’s DNA.
“Pressing ahead with the decision to have closed off access to the canal for a whole range of of ships and vessels will not only be a huge psychological blow for generations of Newry people, but I believe it would also be incredibly short-sighted.
“It’s obviously a short-term cost saving decision that will have a long-term consequences for the vitality of the canal and out ability to invest in its regeneration as has been done with the Ulster Canal.
“It is going to become a source of regret and I hope that the position from this council from all parties and none, would be to reject the recommendation contained in the correspondence from the minister.”
SDLP colleague, Cllr Doire Finn then proposed to request that the minster attend the chamber.
A brief adjournment was taken to clarify chamber protocol, after an attempt was made by CEO Marie Ward to refuse to allow DUP cllr Henry Reilly to speak on the matter, but he was then able to do.
Cllr Reilly said: “I think the minister has made a very difficult decision, he is not from my party and I don’t know the man personally, but I think he has shown incredible courage.
“Because, every haulier in Northern Ireland want that road in place as quickly as possible and take all that heavy traffic out of the centre of Newry, which will be beneficial to the health and wellbeing of its people.
“On this issue, I have to support the minister’s decision, I’m sure it was not easy, because there is the desire to have the lifting bridge to let tall vessels in, that is maybe one in every 20 years and I just can’t see how you would justify that given the real demands that we face on people’s health and business.”
Downpatrick Sinn Fein rep, Oonagh Hanlon told the chamber: “I really do believe this scrutiny should come from MLAs on the floor of the Assembly. If we start inviting ministers down, will they have to go round all 11 councils, where would you stop? We don’t have any jurisdiction over ministers."
Slieve Gullion SDLP cllr, Pete Byrne disputing the suggestion, adding: “We do have jurisdiction over the minister, it is our project through the Belfast Region City Deal and we are driving it as a council.
“This is a council project. The last infrastructure minster (Nichola Mallon) came and met us and heard the views on this project.
“It is imperative that the minister comes and outlines the reasons for his decision. Stormont is not delivering it, it is the council.”
Following a show of hands, Cllr Finn’s proposal was carried by a majority vote.
