Cross-Border Bridge On Hold

A cross-border bridge project to link counties Down and Louth across Carlingford Lough has been put on hold.

The development had been given the go-ahead, however Louth County Council now says construction of the Narrow Water Bridge will have to be delayed after tenders received from construction companies ran above the allocated budget.

A spokesperson for Louth County Council said: "Having examined all of the tenders received from contractors competing to build the bridge, it is clear that their estimates of the cost of construction are considerably higher than the figures we have been working with to date. This leaves us with a substantial funding shortfall. Our focus now is on seeing if this can be filled through any combination of additional funding and cost reductions."

South Down SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie has demanded a meeting with the Taoiseach over the issue.

"Undoubtedly, this will be a blow for the local community in Warrenpoint and in the Cooley Peninsula who fought hard for the project, and knowing their determination, I know they will not allow this setback to daunt them in pursuit of Narrow Water Bridge,: she said.

"At this time, the financial support and solidarity of both the British and Irish Governments as well as the Northern Ireland Executive is required to deliver this project which would assist in making a contribution to the local economy in South Down and the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth."

Sinn Féin President and Louth TD Gerry Adams said: "Everyone accepts that the Narrow Water Bridge project is a vital infrastructure project for the Louth/south Down and south Armagh region.

"I would urge the government and the Executive to meet with Louth County Council and other stakeholders, including the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and British government to see what additional funding can be drawn down to complete this vitally important project."

Environment Minister Danny Kennedy told the Assembly yesterday he has given the order to proceed with the project, despite the statement from Louth Council.

Danny Kennedy said: "Following the submission of objections, Louth County Council has had a series of meetings with some of the objectors aimed at finding an agreed resolution to the objections. My officials have been fully engaged with the Council throughout this process. The original objections were clearly outlined and well articulated. In light of this and information from the additional dialogue between Louth Council and objectors, I have concluded that a public inquiry is not necessary.

"Since making my written statement to the Assembly I have learned this afternoon that Louth County Council has announced that a funding shortfall has meant that the project has been put on hold. This is a matter for Louth Council."

The Narrow Water Bridge project commenced in 2008. The single-carriageway, 195 metres cable-stayed Narrow Water Bridge is designed to connect Cornamucklagh near Omeath, Co Louth with Narrow Water near Warrenpoint, Co Down.

The total length of the proposed scheme is 620m.

(IT/CD)