Narrow Water Bridge Gets Final Approval

The long proposed Narrow Water Bridge, between the Newry Omeath Road, and the roundabout near Warrenpoint, has moved nearer becoming reality following approval by the Northern Ireland government last week, and subsequently by An Bord Pleanála.



An artists impression of the new bridge from the shoreline near Omeath.

The cable bridge which will be 660 metres in length, will carry a north and south lane, and will cost just over €18m to build.

Although, at first glance, the price seems expensive, the reason for the high figure is undoubtedly the fact that a section of the bridge will be capable of being raised to allow the passage through of masted sailing boats, and other pleasure craft, to the nearby Victoria Lock, and further up the canal, Albert Basin, beside the Quays Shopping Centre.

The impression of the new bridge can be seen just above the trees.

On the County Down side it's location will be at the roundabout close to where 18 British soldiers died in an IRA bomb ambush in 1979, and on the southern side it will link with the road on the Omeath side of Cornamucklagh House, formerly Davies Pub.
The project is one of many seeking a slice of an available €30m EU fund, and Louth County Council are hoping it will be opened by mid 2015.

Already €900,000 has been spent on the project, without even a sod being turned.

You can't help but wonder where this kind of money could have been spent.