Tunnel vision
SOMETIMES, a withering put-down is the toughest to hear.
Even someone like Prime Minister Boris Johnson would wince at the demolition job on his proposed tunnel, or is it a bridge, between Scotland and Ireland.
The respected research unit the Fraser of Allander Institute quietly pointed out it won’t deliver the economic boost some claim, it’s not a priority, it’s in the wrong place and we don’t have enough cash.
Then the put-down: “Apart from that, it’s a cracking idea.”
A physical link between Scotland and Ireland would be great. Who wouldn’t like to bring these two islands close together?
But the Prime Minister is clearly more interested in grand, symbolic gestures and massive exercises in distraction.
At £20billion, this looks like a vanity project that is more of a kite in the wind than a concrete proposal.
The money is desperately needed all over the country to improve infrastructure now. That’s where both governments should be focused.
BORIS Johnson’s promise of a road link between Scotland and Ireland has been demolished in a new report.
Economic research unit the Fraser of Allander Institute said a bridge or tunnel will not guarantee growth and ignores much-needed infrastructure investment.
The institute said: “It won’t deliver the economic boost some claim, it isn’t a priority, it would go to the wrong location, it wouldn’t be consistent with climate change objectives and the money could be better spent on other things. “Apart from that, it’s a cracking idea.”
The PM says a £20billion link will cement the Union and boost the economy. Last week, Tory Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said the proposal had changed to a possible tunnel.