Call for action on Narrow Water Bridge | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Call for action on Narrow Water Bridge

SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has called for action to develop the potential of the Narrow Water Bridge.

narrow waterThe project, which was shelved following the withdrawal of European funding, could have a ‘transformative effect’ on the local economy.

Speaking to Newry Times, Ritchie said, “In the Irish Government’s Capital Investment Plan, published last year, there was a commitment to ‘the concept’ of a Bridge at Narrow Water.

“At the time, I said that a commitment to ‘a concept’ fell far short of what was needed to regain the momentum the project needs following the withdrawal of European funding. A few months later, the ‘Fresh Start’ proposals again repeated the commitment to nothing more than ‘a concept’ and a review of the proposals.

“This is a project which could have a transformative effect on our economy and on North/South partnership. And yet it has been beset by delays and political ineptitude which have seriously let down the people of South Down and Louth.

“We’re talking about building a new economic corridor on the island of Ireland. The Narrow Water Bridge is the catalyst for that development, bringing with it massive net savings in terms of travel costs and the potential for massive growth in the tourism industry.

“We have already heard shallow electoral promises about infrastructure projects but it seems that Narrow Water Bridge didn’t even deserve a mention. That reveals the commitment of some parties to this project.

Ritchie added, “I will continue to press for detail and movement on this development which will provide real jobs and real hope for communities in South Down and Louth.”

More on this story:

Bridge over troubled water swept aside after EU withdraws £15m funding

Widespread delight as Narrow Water Bridge funding approved

Delight as Narrow Water Bridge gets €17.4m funding

Narrow Water Bridge planning permission granted

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=54323

Posted by on Jan 5 2016. Filed under Community, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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