Narrow Water funding not likely in ‘forseeable future’

FUNDING for the Narrow Water bridge is not likely to emerge in the ‘forseeable future’ councillors heard at the March monthly meeting.

CEO Joan Martin made the admission during a debate about the future of the ill fated cross border project.

Cllr Antoin Watters had put forward a motion asking that the bridge be re-established as a priority project for the council.

He was backed up by Cllr. Edel Corrigan who added that there is ‘still a lot of discussion around it, and a lot of uncertainty too.’ But she added to calls for it to remain a priority for the local authority.

The CEO responded that while Narrow Water bridge remains a strategic objective for Louth County Council , there are no plans to spend anything further on it.

Cllr. Mark Dearey added that it appeared there was a ‘scoping exercise’ going on in the north for a bridge road which was much closer to Newry. He pointed out that it seemed this was being given more priority by Stormont.

Cllr. Colm Markey said there was a ‘changing climate’ with Brexit looming. He added it was ‘ time to consider if we want to continue with something that isn’t realistic in the long term.’

Cllr. Peter Savage urged that whatever efforts can be made should be made within the next two years, saying ‘I would despair otherwise.’

The CEO said that she was aware of proposals for the alternative road, closer to Newry, and the efforts that were being made to further that project.

Admitting ‘I can’t see two bridges being built’ if the other project goes ahead, Ms. Martin said that it did not seem there would be any funding available in the short term or in the ‘ forseeable future.’

However, she told the council that the local authority ‘will continue to keep our eyes peeled for any opportunity,’ and would pursue any avenue that opened up for the project again.

‘We didn’t expect the opportunity to come up that did a few years ago, and it did.’

But she warned ‘I do not intend the increase the debt of the council in relation to the bridge at the present time.’

Earlier, Cllr. Tommy Byrne had called for greater focus to be placed on developing the northern cross route in Drogheda.

But Cllr. Tomas Sharkey responded: ‘We would not be in favour of shelving Narrow Water Bridge in favour of any other project.’

He added: ‘ The Narrow Water bridge is a project that no one should give up on.’