Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland seeking urgent clarity over the future of major regeneration projects across the city and district including the Southern Relief Road.
This is following Friday afternoon’s announcement by the UK Government that they are ‘pausing’ the City & Growth Deals in Northern Ireland.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber said:
“Newry Chamber has always supported the Belfast Region City Deal and its positive contribution to projects in the Greater Newry Area. The announcement that city deals in Northern Ireland are paused is deeply disappointing.”
“This afternoon we have written to the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn MP. We are seeking an urgent meeting and clarity on the impact of this decision for Newry. We will be asking that this decision is reversed to ensure that contracts can be honoured, and schemes can be progressed.”
“The City Deals comprise of funding from both the NI Executive and the UK Government with local council input. It is not yet clear what the impact this decision will have on the schemes funded by the NI Executive, such as the Southern Relief Road as well as the Council-backed projects.”
“The Southern Relief Road is a vital infrastructure project for this area and is of strategic regional importance. It is imperative that the NI Executive ensures this project is delivered and within the original timescale.”
“Newry Chamber will now engage with the NI Executive, the Secretary of State and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to evaluate the impact of this decision by the UK Government, which appears to have come out of nowhere. As soon as we have a clearer picture, the Chamber will make further comment.”