NARROW WATER BRIDGE COMMUNITY NETWORK NEWSLETTER Special Edition September 2020 |
|
|
The Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon confirmed her commitment to delivering the Narrow Water Bridge when she met online last week with members of the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network. A proposed visit by the Minister to Warrenpoint scheduled for March was cancelled due to worsening pandemic. |
|
The NWBCN has been consistently impressed with Minister Mallon’s commitment to the project since taking office and were delighted with the opportunity to put across their views from a community perspective. The group made it clear to the minister that the signs of the persistent lack of investment are highly visible in the area. |
|
|
Derelict hotels have been crumbling now for a generation and more, while an abandoned swimming pool, once a pioneer development and pride of Edwardian Ireland continues to disfigure the promenade at Warrenpoint. And all of this is within a municipality that boasts more Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) than any other in Northern Ireland! |
|
Furthermore, this embarrassment of riches is situated within two hours of Dublin Airport, the main entry point to Ireland, through which some ten million tourists come and go! Precious few of this number reach the South Down/Armagh or North Louth area. |
|
|
The Narrow Water Bridge, being much more than a mere bridge, will radically change this, say the NWBCN. It will present a positive vision of the future. A vision that is in tandem with new and exciting developments in eco- and active tourism which will cater for the increasing number of environmentally-conscious tourists from Britain, Germany, France and further afield. It also marries well with Minister Mallon’s stated plans to urgently integrate safe cycling into Belfast, Derry and Newry. |
|
|
Politics, say the NWBCN has to be seen finally deliver for the people. Northern Ireland has endured its dark period, come through a painful reconciliation, Assembly collapses and scandals of all sorts. Now we have a pandemic and Brexit! The proposed bridge at Narrow Water represents perhaps the most iconic and tangible expression of how the politics of reconciliation can work. The NWBCN is convinced with the appointment of Nichola Mallon that their campaign has once again turned a corner and is ready to provide whatever support the Minister needs to get this project finally across the line. |
|
|
Following the meeting with the NWBCN Minister Mallon issued this statement: "I am committed to progressing the Narrow Water Bridge project and delivering for citizens in South Down and across our island. Delivering on Narrow Water Bridge will help unlock tourism potential and increase connectivity across our island while protecting the natural environment. Our opportunities could be endless, connecting communities, seizing opportunities for economic growth and enhancing lives. |
|
I am working closely with the Irish Government on taking this important project forward and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network. I look forward to further engagement when I visit this area of outstanding beauty and historic and ecological significance this month." |
|
|
Adrian O'Hare Secretary NARROW WATER BRIDGE Community Network |
|
|
|
|
