Build a bridge from Scotland to Ulster, urges DUP’s Arlene
THE biggest road bridge in Europe should be built between Scotland and Northern Ireland, DUP leader Arlene Foster claimed yesterday.
The former First Minister of Northern Ireland said support was growing for what would be one of the most ambitious construction projects in British history.
Experts say a 25-mile crossing between Portpatrick in Wigtownshire and Larne in County Antrim would cost between £15 billion and £20 billion – dwarfing the 1.7-mile Queensferry Crossing over the Forth, which cost £1.35 billion and took more than four years to build.
But Ms Foster, whose party has gained political influence in propping up Theresa May’s minority Government following last year’s General Election, said a bridge would boost the economy on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The DUP included plans for a feasibility study into a bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland in its 2015 General Election manifesto.
Speaking yesterday in Scotland, where she attended an Orange Order parade in Cowdenbeath, Fife, Ms Foster said those who had mocked her plans had ‘no vision’. She added: ‘Today there is growing support. The connection between our two countries has always been spe- cial. What better way to cement that relationship than through a bridge?’ Ms Foster was First Minister of Northern Ireland until the Stormont Assembly was dissolved around 18 months ago. Sources say there have been informal talks at Westminster about the possibility of a bridge being built. But as transport is devolved in both Scotland and Northern Ireland, it is unclear how much UK money would be made available for the project.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson raised eyebrows last month by retweeting an article praising the bridge proposal as a ‘big bold idea’, while Business and Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, said in February: ‘I think it’s a great idea – it would open up my constituency and that’s a good headline to see.
‘There is a lot of talking to be done about that but it is important that talking starts.’
The Scottish Government is also interested in assessing a business case for a road link with Northern Ireland. A spokesman said: ‘We are keen to explore all potential opportunities for improving Scotland’s transport links, but as with all proposed infrastructure investment, decisions would need to be founded on a robust business case.’
But yesterday Ms Foster, in a thinly-veiled attack on the SNP, said it was ‘foolish’ to use Brexit to try to build a border between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
She added: ‘I want to see the Orange Institution here in Scotland get behind this campaign.
‘Among all the abusive comments made about the Orange, wouldn’t it be great to become an actual bridge builder between Northern Ireland and Scotland?
‘Not only would a bridge be a symbolic linkage, it would also be a
‘Wouldn’t it be great to be a bridge builder?’
tremendous boost to the economies of the areas at both sides of the bridge.
‘Whilst some foolishly attempt to use Brexit to build a border between Scotland and Northern Ireland we are more progressive, we want to build a bridge.’
But the SNP last night criticised Ms Foster, saying she should focus on troubles at home.
An SNP spokesman said: ‘With the Northern Ireland Assembly suspended, Arlene Foster’s priority should be getting Stormont back up and running.
‘For Arlene Foster to refer to the DUP as “progressive” won’t fool anyone while her party opposes equal marriage and refuses to support a women’s right to access free, safe and legal abortion.’