Newry City SDLP Councillor Michael Savage has called for an urgent meeting between Council and the Shared Island Unit to exhaust all opportunities to secure gap funding for a lifting bridge on the new Southern Relief Road.
He made the call at the August Monthly Council Meeting in response to a letter from the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Infrastructure stating any funding from the Shared Island Unit was a matter for the Irish Government.
Councillor Savage said the response from the Permanent Secretary was ‘disappointing’ and said he expected the department to have had “more condusive discussion” with potential funders at a time when budgets were being cut.
Pressing for the need for more funding solutions to be explored, Cllr Savage highlighted the need for a joined up all-island effort in relation to a major infrastructure project such as the Southern Relief Road. Welcoming the announcement that DFI officials will be meeting with council, Cllr Savage then further proposed that council writes to the Shared Island Fund to invite them to also meet with council to further explore the possibility of funding options for a lifting bridge. The Newry City representative also pointed out this could further an opportunity for Council to receive an update on the progress of Narrow Water Bridge.
Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has praised the Council’s commitment to meeting with Shared Island Fund Irish Government representatives. “The Southern Relief Road is one of the most significant infrastructure projects this region has seen in a lifetime. Upon its completion, freight will be able to move freely without congestion from the Port of Warrenpoint which serves mainland Britain and onwards to the A1 carriageway connecting flowing traffic to the south. My colleague Cllr Doire Finn further highlighted the exciting potential tourism boost that the road will bring to both sides of the border.”
“Whilst all these benefits cannot be overlooked, we would all be doing a huge injustice to the people of our district if we simply surrendered Newry’s rich maritime heritage. Last week we saw a fantastic flotilla of tall ships sail from Carlingford Lough to moor overnight at the Albert Basin. The SDLP have been committed to a lifting bridge from day one and will not be going down without a fight when it comes to celebrating, preserving, and enhancing our maritime history.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 