Poor air quality caused by traffic congestion in Newry is unlikely to fast track the delivery of a southern relief road. Last week the DOE confirmed that air quality at Trevor Hill and Canal Street was the worst in Northern Ireland. In a follow up to the news The Reporter asked the Department of Regional Development (DRD) who has the responsibility for new road builds whether the findings would fast track the relief road – which aims to link the Warrenpoint dual carriageway with the Newry bypass. However a statement from DRD said the project’s development was dictated by numerous factors – not just air quality. “Air quality is one of a number of environment factors considered at each stage in the development and assessment of a major road improvement scheme,” it read. “While significant engineering and environmental challenges associated with crossing the Newry river and the topography of Fathom Mountain have been identified it is nevertheless expected to provide significant economic benefits. In particular one of the benefits identified is an alternative route for heavy goods vehicles travelling to and from Warrenpoint Port, a regional gateway to the A1 Belfast – Dublin dual carriageway, avoiding the congested urban network in the city of Newry. A southern relief road would be expected to provide a measure of relief to the Dublin Road, Bridge Street, Abbey Way and Warrenpoint Road area of the city of Newry. The particular environmental and engineering challenges that have been identified in the feasibility study are now being investigated and this work which is continuing and includes an Article 6 assessment under the terms of the EU Habitats Directive will also assist in the identification of a preferred corridor for this scheme.” In a statement Orla Jackson of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade said delivery of the relief road would bring numerous benefits to the greater Newry area. “A southern relief road will not only alleviate traffic congestion, it would have other financial spin offs, including providing alternative access routes for the Albert Basin, maximizing its development potential, freeing up land for development at Greenbank and opening up tourism linkages between County Down, Louth and south Armagh as well as reducing emergency service vehicle response times and reducing air pollution in Newry city centre,” Ms Jackson said.
Newry Reporter
15th February 2012
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