Johnson’s Irish Sea tunnel ‘would not deliver economic boost’
BORIS Johnson’s plans for a multibillion pound tunnel between Scotland and Northern Ireland have been condemned by a leading economic think-tank.
The Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) said it would not deliver the economic benefits claimed, would clash with climate change objectives and the money could be better spent on other things.
The Prime Minister previously said serious consideration is being given to building a bridge between Portpatrick and Larne in Northern Ireland.
But last week Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said he favoured a tunnel – and claimed Mr Johnson is “on exactly the same page”.
He said a tunnel would boost the economies of both regions and strengthen the Union, and could be built by 2030.
And he claimed it would also better address some of the problems associated with the deep, stormy North Channel – part of which was used as a Second World War munitions dump.
He said: “It’s no different to the tunnels connecting the Faroes, it’s not different to the tunnels underneath the fjords, and it deals with the problem of Beaufort’s Dyke and the World War Two munitions. The bridge for me is a euphemism for a link, which is a tunnel.”
But the FAI dismissed the idea, which it noted was “not an April Fool”.
In a blog post, it 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 FAI said those hoping the 21-mile road link would be a “catalyst for faster economic growth in both Scotland and Northern
Ireland will be sorely disappointed”.
It said improving how people move around Scotland’s cities is a higher priority – and pointed out it still takes two and a half hours to travel between Aberdeen and Glasgow.
The think-tank said the proposed bridge or tunnel would not actually link up centres of economic activity.
It added: “Instead, travellers will arrive in rural Dumfries and Galloway or Argyll, with a 90+ mile drive to the central belt (at least a further two and a half hours).”
The economists said the estimated cost of around £20 billion could be “far better spent”.