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Sinn Fein Minister for Infrastructure, John O'Dowd is proceeding with plans to put a 50metre span fixed bridge across Newry Canal as part of the proposed Southern Relief Road project, meaning the future population of the city will never ever see the sight of tall ships and large yachts coming up the Ship Canal and berthing at the Albert Basin in the heart of the city. A spell of 282 years of maritime history will be brought to a close.
Belfast Region City Deal in 2021 allocated £93.4m for the project although costs to build the SRR today would most likely be higher. The Department for Infrastructure have stated that to put a 20m span opening bridge in place complete with maintenance would cost an extra £10m but ruled it out saying a span less than 50m "adversely impacts on the scheduled monument of Newry Canal"
Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has described the decision as short sighted and as one that will adversely impact the future potential for the development of Newry’s new 15-acre park and marina facilities.
Speaking after the Infrastructure Minister's announcement Mr McNulty said “I’m flabbergasted that a Sinn Féin Minister would choose to turn a blind eye to the maritime history, heritage and future potential for Newry Canal and the Albert Basin.
“Newry Canal was the first summit level canal to be built in Ireland or Britain and has a huge maritime and waterways’ significance which should not alone be protected, but should be celebrated and enhanced. Surely the long-term vision should be for the tourism and marina potential of Newry Canal and Albert Basin to be protected, developed and celebrated."
To make the decision even more bizarre, just a couple of miles away the proposed Narrow Water Bridge which work could start on as early as next month is an opening bridge that will direct ships towards the SRR fixed bridge!
Following an Assembly question by Mr McNulty, Minister O'Dowd had agreed to carry out a review of the decision made by the DfI Permanent Secretary in the absence of the assembly in March 2023 to include a fixed bridge over the canal as part of the Southern Relief Road that is proposed to take traffic from the Warrenpoint Dual Carriageway to the A1 Belfast Dublin road.
In his letter announcing the findings of his review he said "I have now completed this review and can confirm that the decision for a 50m span fixed bridge remains unchanged."
The Minister said a range of 'factors' were involved in his decision including "engineering, economic, heritage impact and environmental assessments including the impact on the Scheduled Monument of Newry Canal."
He added "I am also conscious of the significant benefits that the scheme offers to the residents and businesses of Newry both economically and environmentally and the desirability of progressing it towards a final statutory decision as quickly as reasonably possible."
Justin McNulty MLA said SDLP is fully committed to the construction of the Southern Relief Road to alleviate traffic and improve air quality in our city centre, but not at the price of harming future opportunities.
“In a previous era in Newry City it was felt that it was a good idea to build bridges over our canal and tear up railway lines. How near sighted and lacking vision have those decisions proven to be? Is this just a case of history repeating?” he concluded.
A public consultation is planned for the project this Summer.
