The Narrow Water Bridge project has to go ahead. That was the message after a petition was launched last week calling for the European Programmes Body (SEUPB) to reconsider its decision to deny the project funding. SEUPB decided against funding the bridge after an examination of the proposals led the group to believe it could not be completed by 2015. The petition which was launched in south Down on Saturday describes the bridge as “vital for the tourist, community, commercial and industrial development of the Carlingford Lough region.” It will be launched on the other side of the lough in Omeath this Saturday. The petition is the work of the Narrow Water Campaign Group which is made up of representatives from the Warrenpoint, Burren, Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce and political representatives from Louth County Council and Newry and Mourne Council as well as Westminster and Stormont. Community and business leaders from both sides of the lough are also involved. South Down MLA Catriona Ruane has called on the public to get behind the campaign. “It is important for the entire south Down and Louth regions that we secure this project so that we can create the conditions for economic regeneration,” she said. This bridge not only has the support of the local business community but also cross party support in the south Down and Louth areas. In order to show the groundswell support for the bridge the cross party group has initiated a petition and we got a great response on Saturday past. The petition will also be available to be sighed on Saturday May 5 in Omeath from 2pm. I would encourage all residents to come alonmg and show your determination to have this bridge constructed by signing this petition and show (SEUBP) the strength of feeling in the south Down and Louth areas for having the area opened up for economic regeneration.” Louth County Council has said it will seek a judicial review of the SEUPB decision not to fund the bridge a move that has been welcomed by the Louth/ Newry and Mourne Joint Committee. “The construction of a bridge at Narrow Water remains a top priority for the Louth/ Newry and Mourne Joint Committee,” chairpersons of the committee Declan Breathnach and Jimmy McCreesh said. “It is the strongly held view of the joint committee and the two councils that the bridge will have a significant positive impact on the tourism and economic development of the region. As joint chairpersons of the Louth Newry and Mourne Committee, we note the decision taken by Louth County Council to seek a judicial review of the recent decision by SEUPB not to fund the project and we support the appeal of the SEUPB decision.”
Newry Democrat
May 1st 2012
“