NARROW WATER BRIDGE COMMUNITY NETWORK NEWSLETTER October 2020 |
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Since the the launch of the New Decade, New Approach document in January, heralding the much anticipated return to Stormont by the political parties, a positive story on the Narrow Water Bridge has been building. The document highlighted a range of funding to be made available to the new Stormont Executive to invest in a range of infrastructural projects which included the Narrow Water Bridge. In a statement following the Shared Island Conference streamed from Dublin Castle on Thursday last the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, announced that he now has ring-fenced funding for the Narrow Water Bridge and a number of other cross border projects for “full delivery without undue delay”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yIdF01_BOg In times of crisis, goes the African proverb, the wise build bridges, the foolish build dams. |
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This incredible news and long awaited breakthrough came hot on the heels of a similarly positive statement from the Minister for Infrastructure at Stormont, Nichola Mallon, in September when she met with members of the NWBCN on site at Narrow Water. |
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“I am committed to progressing the Narrow Water Bridge project. I recognise the strong local support for a bridge to link the communities on both sides of Carlingford Lough and to take full advantage of the tourism potential of this cross-border region, whilst protecting the natural environment in this area of historic and ecological significance." ://mobile.twitter.com/deptinfra/status/1303719351183388673/video/1 |
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Jim Boylan, chairman of NWBCN, dedicates this good news to the community activists and far-sighted local politicians from across the political divide who, in the darkest days of the 1970’s, were convinced that the Narrow Water Bridge would bring valuable and much needed tourism to an impoverished area. |
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"This news is also a tribute to those who, having campaigned for years, redoubled their efforts in 2103 following the deeply disappointing collapse of the project at the eleventh hour." |
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"They pressed on," says Jim, "ignoring cries of derision from some political quarters that saw the idea of a bridge at Narrow Water as ‘misty eyed’ and a ‘vanity project’ that would bring no economic benefit to the area." The NWBCN Chairman further acknowledged those of vision in today's generations who, in the time before Covid, could see that we will have a green future or we will have no future at all. "The Narrow Water Bridge represents a positive vision of the future that is totally in tune with the growth of eco- and active tourism, blending well with the Minister Mallon’s stated plans to urgently integrate safe cycling into Belfast, Derry and Newry." |
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As the community braces itself for a second wave of Covid infections, we at the NWBCN would like to express our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those throughout Ireland North and South who have lost loved ones in the latest surge. Our thoughts are also with those who are suffering hardship through unemployment, loss of earnings and social isolation. Finally our best wishes go to all frontline workers especially to those in the NHS and HSE. STAY SAFE! BÍ SÁBHAILTE! |
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Adrian O'Hare Secretary NARROW WATER BRIDGE COMMUNITY NETWORK |
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