Fixed bridge over Newry Canal ‘must be reconsidered’

At last week’s council meeting Cllr Doire Finn, supported by her SDLP colleague Cllr Killian Feehan, asked secured a commitment that NMDDC should write to new Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to see if her position will be the same as her predecessor John O’Dowd.

In 2024 he confirmed that the new road would proceed with a non-opening fixed bridge over the canal – a decision that was originally taken by civil servants due to Stormont not sitting.

A fixed bridge has long been opposed by campaigners who say that a fixed bridge will prevent tall ships reaching Newry, and the new Albert Basin Park, just a short distance up the canal.

The nearby Narrow Water Bridge, which will connect Warrenpoint and Omeath, will have a lifting section so tall ships can get through.

The subject came up as council discussed statutory and vesting orders in relation to the road.

Speaking during the meeting Cllr Finn thanked the outgoing Minister “for the time that he gave myself and Killian and two of our Sinn Féin colleagues, because I do think that was very important that that meeting was held”.

She added “I'd like to meet two proposals based on this. Obviously we have a new Infrastructure Minister in post and I'd like to congratulate her. I think that is an incredible achievement and I'd like to ask that we write to her to ask if her decision is going to be the same as her predecessor.

“Along with this, there is currently a consultation on the Southern Relief Road and I'd like to ask that council reaffirms our opposition for any proposal on a fixed bridge through that consultation process.”

Alliance councillor Cadogan Enright noted that the orders were for a bridge over “a navigable river”.

He stated: “Since this project was first mooted, it's been our view that we need to keep the river navigable.

“Out of concern is that the bridge, as it is currently constructed, does not leave the river navigable and there's been mistakes made in the past historically where the bridges over Newry Canal have rendered the canal not navigable.

“It is our belief that the approach road to the bridge starts to rise towards the new bridge far too late. It needs to be sloping, from the moment it leaves the dual carriageway.

“We'd like to add on to this particular letter a request that the design needs to be looked at with a view to bringing the height of the bridge to an appropriate level for navigability by starting the slope as soon as it leaves the dual carriageway.”

Cllr Finn said she didn’t accept Cllr Enright’s amendment and as “they're different things”. Her proposal went through unopposed.

Speaking following the meeting, Cllr Finn said she had supported the idea of a lifting bridge over the Canal since it has been raised with her.

“Indeed, it was at my repeated insistence that we secured a meeting with the Infrastructure Minister to discuss this issue,” she said.

"Newry's maritime past and the history of the Canal is incredibly important to our city and our residents, and it is vitally important that we protect this asset moving forward.

“Along with this, given that Newry City Park is due to be completed by 2027, we must not close off the economic potential that this will bring to the canal.”

Her party colleague, Cllr Feehan, continued: “It is encouraging that the Council has backed our call to respond to the Southern Relief Road consultation opposing a fixed bridge over the Canal.

“It would be incredibly short sighted if the Department for Infrastructure pushes ahead with a fixed bridge. People in Newry want our canal to be protected and regenerated, not permanently shut off as part of a cost saving exercise. The Department needs to sit up and listen before it’s too late.”

The news also received a thumbs up from campaigners Newry 2020, who said the move was “a huge step forward in the campaign to protect our canal”.

Brian Cleland thanked Cllrs Finn and Feehan for asking the council to oppose a fixed bridge, and to all councillors for backing their proposal.

“At the last local election all the Newry parties supported our call for no fixed bridge, and [the meeting] showed the importance of that pledge.”

Mr Cleland claimed that at the Southern Relief Road consultation event, DfI reps “were insisting that NMDDC supported the plan to close Newry Canal.

"[This move] makes it clear that our council does not support that plan, and that it is standing with the people to protect our local and national heritage.”