Write a comment
Stormont Minister of Infrastructure John O'Dowd has said that he ruled out two potential engineering solutions that would have allowed tall ships and yachts to continue to travel up Newry Ship Canal to the heart of Newry City, due to the 'detrimental impact' and 'severity of impact' they would have on scheduled monument Newry Ship Canal which the Minister said "is considered as being of high historical significance". The two potential solutions mentioned were an opening bridge or a lock system. Instead he has opted to put a 12m fixed bridge over the waterway, a structure that will have a severe detrimental impact on the scheduled monument, stopping the majority of ships that currently travel up the canal from getting to Newry, the same ships having navigated the opening Narrow Water Bridge located 5km closer to Carlingford Lough.
Minister O'Dowd was replying to a number of questions from MLA's Liz Kimmins and Justin McNulty on the fixed bridge structure which is planned as part of the DfI Southern Relief Road.
Mr McNulty asked the Minister "for his assessment of the merits of facilitating the construction of a lifting bridge, as opposed to a fixed bridge, as part of the Newry Southern Relief Road project, in relation to protecting and enhancing (i) the Newry Ship Canal; (ii) the Albert Basin; and (iii) Newry’s maritime history, heritage and future potential."
Less conspicuous
In his reply Minister O'Dowd said "A lifting bridge would introduce new features of greater mass within the setting of the Ship Canal creating a detrimental impact on the Scheduled Monument. In contrast, a 50m fixed bridge will add features that would generally be less conspicuous in this setting."
The Minister also said that the 'majority' of 'vessels' using the canal could still access under the bridge, something that is heavily disputed by the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Newry and Portadown branch and the 'No Boats No Votes' campaign.
The Minister stated "Both options would permit vessels access to the Albert Basin. Whilst the lifting bridge would allow unrestricted access, the opening of such a bridge would be restricted to allow its operation as a strategic route. The fixed bridge option provides a clearance of 12m height, which would provide access for the majority of vessels using the Newry Canal thereby protecting and enhancing Newry’s maritime history and heritage."
Refute the claim
Tanya Duffy, Chairperson IWAI Newry and Portadown said "The IWAI refute the claim, and indeed challenge the figures that were used to make that statement. Where and when have these numbers been generated from and how? Is it a comprehensive count over multiple years or a point in time. Easy to pick and choose the answer you want depending on way the information is provided?"
She added that Tall Ships and large boats are the attractions that draw visitors to the canal and the area, providing a much need boost to the local economy.
"These are the type of boats that should be welcomed and to allow the public and visitors alike experience the canal and Albert Basin as it should be intended!"
Speaking about the Carlingford Marina Regatta Duffy added "It has also not considered the newly launched Carlingford Marina regatta which would have prevented two thirds of the last year’s boats sailing into the basin, or the Annual tall ship visit as part of the Newry Fleadh, amongst other amazing experiences.
"Removing access to the tall ships and larger boats does nothing “to protect or enhance Newry’s maritime history and heritage”. A fixed bridge consigns the canal’s navigation rights to the history books instead of being a living breathing part of Newry!"
Building a busy HGV route
Also challenging the claim Spokesperson for the No Boats No Votes campaign, Brian Trainor, said "We are challenging the Minister's claim that the "majority of vessels" will be able to get under the proposed fixed bridge. In recent years vessels of all sizes have made the journey up the Ship Canal to attend community events and festivals. Independent experts have confirmed that the vast majority of those boats would have been blocked by the proposed bridge. We have asked the minister to provide evidence for his claim so that the public can finally get to the truth of the matter.
"The Minister also states that an opening bridge would have a "detrimental effect" on the Ship Canal. It seems strange to claim to be concerned about preserving the character of the canal, while at the same time planning to build a busy HGV route across it, thereby destroying its primary function as a navigable waterway."
"Finally, at the last local election, local parties pledged to oppose any plans to build a fixed bridge across our Ship Canal. With another election coming in the next few weeks, we hope that voters will remind local candidates of that promise."
Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty also asked the Minister "what consideration he has given to a lock system as a solution to the ongoing challenges with the bridge portion of the Newry Southern Relief Road project."
Reduced value for money
In his reply Minister O'Dowd said "As part of the design process for the Newry Southern Relief Road project, a lock gate option was considered. This option was discounted due to the severity of impact to the Scheduled Monument, construction complexity, lengthy operational times and reduced value for money when compared against other design options."
Decision making
Fellow Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins asked the Minister "to detail the decision-making process for the fixed bridge design for the Southern Relief Road."
Minister O'Dowd answered mentioning £25m as the cheapest option additional cost although Newry.ie obtained figures from DfI in May 2023 stating that the cheapest option considered was just an additional £10.4m (£5.82m bridge cost and £4.58m operating and maintenance cost)
The Minister said "Following an Executive Formation Act 2022 decision taken by the department, I undertook a review of the fixed bridge option. My review considered a range of factors including engineering, economic, heritage impact and environmental assessments.
"The additional cost to the project to include the provision of an opening bridge would be in the range of £25m - £30m.
"After carefully considering this information, I confirmed that the decision for a 50m span non-opening fixed bridge design for the Southern Relief Road remained unchanged."
He concluded "The publication of the draft Statutory Orders and EIAR for the NSRR scheme will provide an opportunity for anyone to comment on the current proposals."
Narrow Water Bridge
Justin McNulty MLA also asked the Minister "for his assessment of the impact his Department’s recommendation for a fixed bridge on the Southern Relief Road will have on the viability of a lifting bridge as part of the Narrow Water Bridge project."
Minister O'Dowd said "The Department has considered the Narrow Water Bridge project in the assessment of the Newry Southern Relief Road and while the schemes are inter-dependent regarding projected traffic figures and economic cases, the viability of a lifting bridge at Narrow Water is not affected by the design of a 50m non-opening fixed bridge on the Newry Southern Relief Road project. This fixed bridge will have a clearance of 12m for vessels whereas the Narrow Water Bridge, depending on tidal conditions, will only provide clearance between 3m and 6m before it requires opening"
