- BY Kevin Barry BSc(Hons) MRICS
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Following a productive meeting with Jim Shannon MP today, there are encouraging signs that cross-party cooperation – already proving effective on the Ballynahinch bypass project – could help advance the case for a Strangford Lough crossing.
Mr. Shannon and Chris Hazzard MP are currently working constructively together to lobby Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd on delivering the long-awaited Ballynahinch bypass. This collaborative approach demonstrates how cross-party engagement can help progress major infrastructure projects.
While acknowledging that road maintenance and potholes remain his constituents’ primary concern, Mr. Shannon indicated openness to exploring alternative funding mechanisms for a Strangford Lough crossing, including potential support through the Irish Government’s Shared Island Fund.
This aligns with current examples of successful cross-border funding, such as the recently announced £12.6m PEACEPLUS funding for the Down GAA Centre of Excellence in Ballykinlar. Similar funding approaches could be explored for the crossing project.
The current ferry service costs £3.52m annually to operate with only 41% cost recovery. When considering the social and economic benefits identified in the Department’s own 2013 Strategic Review Report, alongside rising operational costs, the case for examining alternative long-term solutions grows stronger.
Key environmental designations of Strangford Lough as a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, and Marine Conservation Zone would need careful consideration. However, modern infrastructure projects like the Rose Kennedy Bridge demonstrate how environmental concerns can be successfully addressed through thoughtful design and mitigation measures.
Cross-party support for exploring funding options, particularly through mechanisms that don’t impact departmental maintenance budgets, could help move this transformative project from concept to reality. The successful cooperation between Mr. Shannon and Mr. Hazzard on the Ballynahinch bypass provides an encouraging template for how this might be achieved.