Council is to lobby a new local Stormont Minister to “over-turn” a fixed bridge decision for Newry Ship Canal.
A six week public consultation on the Southern Relief Road closed today (March 4) with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) now seeking further clarity on potential for a lifting bridge proposal.
The Department for Infrastruture’s (DfI) previous Minister John O’Down (Sinn Fein) decided on a fixed bridge at the canal though his approval may now face a “public inquiry”.
Councillors are now looking to the new Newry based DfI Minister Liz Kimmins (Newry and Armagh MLA- Sinn Fein) to make a dramatic U-turn following a letter to NMDDC suggesting “ambiguity” on the way forward.
Newry SDLP rep, Doire Finn said: “In relation to the correspondence from DfI Minister Liz Kimmins, to my opinion there is ambiguity in relation to the wording which says the decision to proceed with the fixed bridge was taken.
“We had asked to write again to DfI, given that there is a new Minister in post from the area (Liz Kimmins) we are talking about. And whether or not that decision was one that she agreed with her predecessor (John O’Dowd) on.
“I would ask if it is possible to write back to DfI to see if she will reconsider. I think it is worth getting clarity on it given the strength of feeling on this from constituents.”
The DfI letter from Liz Kimmins MLA states: “At the closure of this consultation period a report will be compiled for my consideration. This report along with the number and nature of representations received will inform my decision to progress to the delivery of the scheme or if a public inquiry is to be convened.”
The Southern Relief Road would link the main A1/N1/M1 Belfast to Dublin road with the A2 Warrenpoint to Newry dual carriageway and take much of the heavy traffic out of the city.
It is expected to cost up to £130m, with most of the infrastructure pot (£93m) being delivered through the Belfast Region City Deal.
Opponents of a fixed bridge have argued that it would spell the end of maritime links to Newry Ship Canal as tall ships would be unable to make the journey into Albert Basin in the heart of the city.
Slieve Croob Alliance cllr, Helena Young added: “My initial reaction to the DfI correspondence was disappointment given a statement by the Minister’s party opposing a fixed bridge.
“Obviously she (Liz Kimminis) is just in post and she does day she is waiting on a report from the consultation and indicates that she will consider this in making a decision on progressing and delivering the project.
“So, this does give us a glimmer of hope. But we do need clarification.”
The chamber agreed to write to the new DfI Minster.
However, Mourne DUP rep, Henry Reilly said: “I think the council is being very unfair to the new Minister. She has inherited a decision that was made on the basis of all the practicalities.
“To make a lifting bridge there would be a massive concrete structure. Can it even be done?
“You are putting a lot of pressure on the new Minister to try and over-turn a decision that has already been made by the previous Minister.
“It just seems illogical and very unfair.”
