Bradley welcomes recent progress on Narrow Water Bridge
South Down MLA Sinéad Bradley has welcomed an update on the progress of the Narrow Water Bridge Project.
She said that “Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon told the Assembly on Tuesday that construction could begin on the bridge next year.
“Minister Mallon said she had been working closely with the Irish Government and other stakeholders to progress the project and it was hoped the it would move to the tender stage as quickly as possible.”
Ms Bradley added: “That construction could get underway on the Narrow Water Bridge as early as next year is hugely exciting news for everyone in South Down and the wider border area.
“This project has been decades in the making and it has taken the hard work and dedication of SDLP Minister Nichola Mallon to get it over the line and we are now potentially just months away from it becoming a reality.
“This bridge will bring a number of benefits to this area, making it easy for people from Warrenpoint to travel to Co Louth and vice versa and it will bring huge benefits for businesses and communities on both sides of the Newry River.
“It will also make sure both of these destinations are more accessible for tourists travelling around our island and sampling its beautiful coastline.
“I also welcome Minister Mallon’s determination to include active travel in the project to include footways and cycleways. This will be hugely beneficial to local people, giving them the option of leaving their vehicles at home when exploring all this area has to offer. It has the twin benefits of being better for our environment and positive for public health.”
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “The Minister’s dedication to progressing the Narrow Water Bridge has been inspiring and it shows just what can be achieved for our communities when the political will exists.
“In just two years from the return of the Executive we have gone from this project being stuck in limbo to preparing for work to get underway.
“This area has huge potential and key projects like the bridge will be essential if we are to realise it.
“Both Warrenpoint and Carlingford attract large numbers of visitors each year and it can only be welcome that people will now be able to travel seamlessly to and from both destinations.”
Councillor Karen McKevitt said: “This update from Minister Mallon will be a welcome boost to communities on both sides of the border. We have been talking about this project for some time and now it is close to being realised.
“Our border communities have long been denied the investment needed to push on and develop and I hope this will be the beginning of wider plans to capitalise on everything we have to offer.
“This project also shows the benefits of cross-border cooperation, particularly on projects like this.
“By working with her counterparts in the South, the Minister has secured the funding necessary to progress this project and when it’s completed everyone will benefit.”
