SDLP welcome news on Narrow Water appeal
The SDLP Councillor team in Crotlieve has welcomed news that Louth County Council have won their appeal against the decision to refuse the Narrow Water Bridge project to proceed to stage 2. The Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) had originally denied access from stage 1 application for the project.
Councillor Declan McAteer spoke to Newry Times and said: “This is great news that the bridge project is back in the game. It is a project that can kick start the tourism product of South Down and County Louth and I will endeavour to see it through to completion.”
McAteer added, “Louth County Council in collaboration with Newry & Mourne must compile a comprehensive economic evaluation, demonstrating the long term benefits and projected job and wealth creation accruing to the economies on both sides of Carlingford Lough.”
Councillor Connaire McGreevy believes that it now has a chance to receive funding but stressed a huge effort is still needed. He commented: “This announcement that the appeal has been won is great but the officials from Louth County Council now need to work tirelessly to ensure a thorough business plan is constructed that will demonstrate to the funders that the project can be delivered.”
“This bridge will be great for Rostrevor and the surrounding area helping to boost tourism and other economic activity,” he added.
Mayobridge and Hilltown Councillor, Sean O’Hare added: “It is fantastic for the South Down area and northern Louth. It will bring added benefit to the people of Mayobridge and Hilltown who will no doubt be able to avail of the service of a bridge at Narrow Water.”
Councillor Michael Carr from Warrenpoint said: “There are a lot of people in Warrenpoint who want to see the bridge developed and will welcome the decision to allow it proceed to the next round of the European funding process. I hope that it and the Marina can be delivered and bring benefit to the area.”
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=16160