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A man who spent a winter in Newry in 2021/22 has urged the Department of Infrastructure not to block Newry Ship Canal but rather to build a landmark opening bridge over the historic monument.
Stefan Jeukendrup says Council and DfI have a 'One Time Historic Opportunity' to make the right choice.
Jeukendrup moored his sailboat the 53 foot ketch Malaka Queen in the Albert Basin in Newry during his continuing travels around the world. He thoroughly enjoyed his travels at the time and spent much time discovering the area.
Like the majority of boats that would sail up Newry Ship Canal, Malaka Queen's mast would be too tall to travel under the Department for Infrastructure's proposed 12m fixed bridge over the Canal as part of their Southern Relief Road project.
Speaking in a submission to the consultation on the Southern Relief Road Jeukendrup said "It was a great privilege as a world ocean sailor to be able to moor my sailboat for the winter of 2021/2022 at the Albert Basin in the centre of Newry.
The intrepid traveller is currently in New Zealand. "Currently my boat is on the Hatea river in Whangarei, New Zealand. Whangarei is in many ways similar to Newry and here business and tourism is booming"
"In Whangarei they made the right choice: building a landmark opening bridge so sailors can moor in the center of town.
Newry council, you now have a one time historic opportunity to build that opening "Gullion" bridge."
"Do it for Newry!"
In his submission he included several links talking about his time in Newry www.svmalakaqueen.com as well as one from the New Zealand Herald showing how a city in New Zealand has benefited from having an opening bridge www.nzherald.co.nz with 250 international and domestic vessels expected in Whangarei Marina.
Opening the bridge is a simple matter. All you have to do is request that the bridge is raised by radio or phone. This is a free service. A pontoon is provided to tie up to in the event you need to wait.
Explaining how the bridge opens the marina website www.whangareimarina.com says "During business hours the bridge usually opens within five minutes of the request received. After hours it can occasionally take longer, usually within thirty minutes." Certainly much different from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's policy of having to book transit through Victoria Lock 48hrs in advance.
