Build Celtic Bridge, Sturgeon is urged

NICOLA Sturgeon has been urged to ‘put politics aside’ and work with Boris Johnson to make plans for a bridge linking Scotland and Northern Ireland a reality.

Professor Alan Dunlop, a fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, called for a feasibility study to be carried out for what he believes is a ‘project fit for the 21st century’.

He welcomed comments from Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who has spoken to Mr Johnson about a bridge, which he believes is ‘worth examining’. Mr Varadkar has also revealed he told the Prime Minister the UK would be responsible paying for any infrastructure project linking the UK and Ireland.

Professor Dunlop told The National newspaper that he had been calling for a feasibility study to be carried out since early 2018. He said: ‘I would urge our First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to put politics aside and do the same.

‘A bridge to link Scotland and the UK to Ireland is a project fit for the 21st century. We have the engineering and architectural talent in Scotland to create such a structure.’

Two possible routes for a bridge have been looked at – from Portpatrick, Wigtownshire, to Larne, or from near Campbeltown, Argyll, to the Antrim coast.

Professor Dunlop previously said the ‘Celtic Bridge’ would cost about £15billion.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are always keen to talk about how we can strengthen connections between Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.’