Newry Chamber were delighted to welcome Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD to Newry on the day he announced the Narrow Water Bridge Project will be put out to tender.
Planning permission has already been secured for the 280 metre cable-stayed bridge which will link the County Down Coast and the Cooley Peninsula.
The project is being funded by the Shared Island Fund. It will improve connectivity and provide a huge boost to our tourism offering on both sides of Carlingford Lough.
The meeting was facilitated by the Chamber, kindly hosted by Norbrook Laboratories and attended by members of the local business community, covering topics including economic development, skills, infrastructure, connectivity and healthcare provision.
Julie Gibbons, President of Newry Chamber highlighted how the local economy has been transformed by the exponential growth of our indigenous businesses which has reduced the unemployment rate in the region from 26.5% in the late 80’s to around 2% today.
We also welcomed the renewed engagement between the UK and the EU on the Protocol. This will hopefully deliver a workable solution and in turn, help create a path to restore the NI Executive.
Julie also praised the positive cross-border relationships which exist in the region, including Newry and Dundalk Chambers’ as well as the partnership approach between Newry, Mourne and Down and Louth Councils.
