Sinn Féin MP says party backs lifting bridge calls following meeting with Minister Kimmins
Sinn Féin’s Newry & Armagh MP has reiterated the party’s support for a lifting bridge on the Southern Relief Road.
Dáire Hughes MP was speaking following a meeting with his constituency and party colleague, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, over a range of projects.
Last year her predecessor, John O’Dowd, 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.
And last week the Reporter highlighted how Ms Kimmins had previously spoken in favour of a lifting bridge, which would allow tall-masted vessels to come up Newry Canal and into the city.
As far back as February 2020 she said a lifting bridge would be “a major boost for the tourist economy in the Newry and Mourne region”.
Mr Hughes that both he and the Minister are agreed “that the delivery of this project would be transformative for Newry”.
He added that it would help to “alleviate traffic congestion in our city centre, taking heavy goods vehicles out of Newry and improving air quality for residents.
"I repeated Sinn Féin’s support for a lifting bridge to preserve both access to and the heritage of Newry Canal. This project is currently subject to a public consultation and we encourage everyone with an interest to respond to the consultation.”
Mr Hughes said that it was “very encouraging” to hear that progress is being made on a number of key infrastructure projects.
“Minister Kimmins and I discussed the urgently needed A1 road improvements. The Minister confirmed that the tendering process for work will be concluded shortly and work would commence early next year. This will be welcome news for local motorists and will enhance safety on this incredibly busy road.
‘We also discussed rail services and I encouraged the Minister to consider additional Dublin-Belfast services in light of the success of the recently introduced hourly service. The 50% increase in passengers using the hourly Enterprise service is proof that if a good public transport service is offered, people will use it.
“Minister Kimmins confirmed that capacity in our local rail service would be increased future in the coming years with the delivery of a new fleet of trains.”
The meeting concluded, said the MP, with a discussion on NI Water and connectivity to new builds.
"It was encouraging to hear that the Minister is working to support NI Water and increase connectivity rates,” Mr Hughes added.
"Initiatives taken by the Minister and her predecessor John O’Dowd have already seen thousands of buildings connected and it is hoped this will continue.
"It is clear that every department in the Executive is in need of more funding from London, but the Minister is committed to working with her Executive colleagues to secure the funding needed to address these issues.”
Meanwhile, it was also confirmed by the Minister that the feasibility study into the Armagh-Portadown rail link would be published shortly, with the MP describing connectivity to the main Dublin-Belfast line as a “game-changer for Armagh”.