South Down MLA Sean Rogers (SDLP) has said the creation of the Newry Southern Relief Road would provide significant economic benefits to the surrounding area.
Mr. Rogers was speaking during an adjournment debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday. He said:xa0“The creation of the Newry Southern Relief Road can help unlock the tourism potential of South Down. Such a road could help improve accessibility and has the potential to improve business opportunities in Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and Hilltown.
“A new relief road could help alleviate the use of ‘rat-running’, where roads users cut-through secondary roads or side-streets. This can pose a real risk to pedestrians and local road users alike.
“The proposal for a relief road has been debated across the years.xa0The Feasibility Study Report, published in August 2009, concluded that based on the information available the provision of new road link between the A2 Warrenpoint Road and the A1 Belfast/Dublin Key Transport Corridor is feasible.
“It is time for the Department for Regional Development to finally bring forward a suitable relief road for the Newry and South Down areas. It is essential this road is in place particularly with the Narrow Water Bridge Project coming forward.”
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