Bridge from Scotland to Northern Ireland moves a step closer
A BRIDGE or tunnel linking Scotland to Northern Ireland is to be looked at as part of a major review of UK transport, it was announced yesterday.
Boris Johnson wants the country to build its way out of recession once the Covid crisis is over and is planning major infrastructure projects across the UK.
The Prime Minister has previously said a 20-mile bridge linking Portpatrick, in Wigtownshire, and Larne, north of Belfast, could cost about £15 billion.
Yesterday, Mr Johnson said it was time to move the project a step forward. It will be included in an independent review being carried out by Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy.
Mr Johnson said: ‘The United Kingdom is the greatest political partnership the world has ever seen and we need transport links between our nations that are as strong as our historic bonds.
‘Quality transport links are the key to making sure everyone can access education, jobs and housing, helping businesses to grow and thrive and rebalancing opportunity fairly across our country.
‘As we build back better from the pandemic, Sir Peter’s review will help make sure we have the right connections to support, sustain and strengthen our communities – to truly level up across the UK.’
The proposal is controversial among Scottish Nationalists who argue major infrastructure projects should be decided by the government at Holyrood, but UK Ministers are determined to have a greater influence north of the Border. Sir Peter’s review will explore the ‘cost, practicality and demand’ for a fixed link and will set out advice on a ‘wide range of possible options’ to improve the quality and availability of links across the UK.
Downing Street said the Hendy review will also examine the feasibility of various other options designed to boost links to Scotland and Wales, including improving major roads such as the A1.
Sir Peter said: ‘Improving links across the UK on the basis of the wider economic benefits that increased investment will deliver will be of benefit to everyone in the
UK.’ He is expected to publish his recommendations next summer.
Last night, however, Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said the Hendy review had been ‘organised with virtually no consultation’, despite transport being a devolved issue.
He added: ‘We absolutely want to see improved transport and connectivity links beyond Scotland’s borders – under any constitutional arrangements. But this study is clearly part of the Tory Government’s wider agenda to undermine the devolution settlement across a whole range of policy areas.’
Colin Smyth, Scottish Labour transport spokesman and a South Scotland MSP, said: ‘Once again Boris Johnson is peddling his game of fantasy politics with talk of a bridge or tunnel between Portpatrick and Larne that everyone knows will never happen.
‘We already have a link to Northern Ireland via Cairnryan ferry port. It’s not the ferries that are the problem, it’s the substandard road and rail links to get to them.
‘If Boris Johnston is serious about better links between Scotland and Northern Ireland he could invest in dualling the A75 and A77 and building a rail link to the ferry port.’