New bridge linking North and South will be first since partition

The project will create jobs in the short term and tourism in the long term

A new bridge linking the North and South of Ireland has been granted planning permission by the Stormont government. When constructed it will be the first cross border bridge since the partition of Ireland in 1922.

The proposed new 660metre structure will cross the Newry River at Narrow Water and link north Louth with south Down. Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood announced his decision to grant planning permission for the project on Friday and Louth County Council has also lodged an application for planning permission on the southern side.

Fine Gael Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has also indicated his support for the project following a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD for Louth Gerry Adams. Responding to Deputy Adams, the Minister said that in the event of authorities in the North willing to find 75% of the cost he would be “prepared to try to find a net Exchequer contribution of the order of €1.5 million”.

Gerry Adams welcomed the news saying: “This is an important step on the road to securing the necessary funding for this important economic and strategic investment. My colleague Caitríona Ruane has been central to the campaign for this development and I want to commend her for her efforts.”

The structure will be an opening bridge to enable ships and other vessels access to the Victoria Lock and Albert Basin in Newry. As well as providing jobs in the construction area in the short term the bridge will also act as a gateway for tourists and visitors to the stunning scenery of the Mourne and Cooley mountains and make travelling each way much easier.