Narrow Water Bridge Building In Doubt

Cross-border relations are in focus as the proposed development of a bridge at Narrow Water outside the city of Newry is under a cloud.

There are concerns that the massive construction project could be shelved to be replaced by a much less physical cross-border link - a ferry service.

That's according to local MLA PJ Bradley whose concerns were raised in relation to the cross-border initiative.

He told the Newry Reporter that he has received a letter from the Irish Republic's Minister for Transport Tony Dempsey.

"The council (Louth) was asked to investigate further the comparisons of the proposed bridge project with an earlier proposed ferry option, using current capital appraisal techniques, and to include the ferry option in a multi-criteria analysis with the bridge option," Minister Dempsey's letter to the local politician read.

However, Mr Bradley said such a viewpoint overlooks the thought process behind the Narrow Water process.

"I was disappointed to read in the reply that as part of the cost benefit analysis and detailed appraisal the government has asked Louth Co Council to investigate between the bridge proposal and the earlier ferry option between Greenore and Greencastle," he said.

"I am concerned that at this stage the whole point of the Narrow Water project appears to have been overlooked.

"Perhaps it is by some youthful ministerial adviser that never heard of Strand two of the Good Friday Agreement or of Narrow Water for that matter.

"It should be remembered that the prime purpose of the Louth-Down bridge link is to permanently unite the people of the Cooley Peninsula and the people of south Down," he said.

"I am seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Noel Dempsey to reiterate the social importance of the Narrow Water link.

"A ferry at Greencastle, which I believe is a non-starter would do nothing to create permanent neighbourhood links between the people that live either side of Carlingford Lough."

(BMcC/GK)