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The Narrow Water Bridge Project is still very much a project in progress.
The bridge was the subject of an All Party Convention this morning in the Council Chamber of Louth County Council. This significant gathering of Public Representatives from North and South of Border delivered unanimous support for the bridge and have called on governments North and South to deliver the short-fall of funding within the next two weeks in order to secure the project
A formal Declaration of Support (attached) for the project was agreed and released following the meeting
The convention was called by the Chairs of the three Councils along with the Chair of East Border Region Committee. A presentation was made outlining the background to the project and detailing the current position in relation to the shortfall facing the project
A broad range of Public Representatives from across Louth, Newry & Mourne, Armagh and Down come together to receive an update on the Narrow Water Bridge Project. The attendees included Councillors, TDs, Senators and MLAs.
In chairing the meeting Councillor Declan Breathnach Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council said the attendance of the public representatives on an all party cross border basis was welcomed and urged the representatives to bring their good offices to bear on putting the final package of funding in place that will enable the bridge to begin construction.”
DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR NARROW WATER BRIDGE
▪ The construction of a bridge at Narrow Water has been an infrastructural objective in the region for nearly 40 years.
▪ We recognise the very significant impact that Narrow Water Bridge will have on the economic development of Carlingford Lough and beyond in terms of jobs during the construction period and, in the longer term, through its impact on the development of tourism in the entire area.
▪ The Business Plan for the Bridge has shown a strong positive rate of return, especially when the full potential impacts on construction jobs and tourism are taken into account.
▪ INTERREG Funding of 17.369m is in place for the bridge
▪ Louth County Council, Newry & Mourne District Council and Down District Councils have between them already committed to borrowing a combined total of €4.25million to help meet the current shortfall in funding. This leaves a remaining shortfall of approximately €10million at the present time.
▪ We also recognise the strong support of Chambers of Commerce in Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Newry and Dundalk for the project.
▪ We remain fully committed to this very significant project and pledge our continued support for the ongoing search for additional funding.
▪ We call on the governments in both jurisdictions to recognise that our attempts to deliver the Narrow Water Bridge Project cannot be allowed to fail. We ask that they, like the local councils, invest in this project which will bring hope, employment and greater prosperity to a Border Region which is still working towards reaching its full potential following the years of conflict.
▪ We seek urgent meetings with An Taoiseach/Tánaiste and First and Deputy First Ministers
