24th June 2025 – How Strangford Lough Crossing (SLC) fits with NI Transport Strategy 2035 Consultation Draft

With the publication of Northern Ireland’s Transport Strategy 2035 consultation draft in June 2025, it’s timely to assess how our Strangford Lough Crossing proposal aligns with the Department for Infrastructure’s strategic vision.

NI Transport Strategy 2035: Key Priorities

The new strategy sets out an ambitious vision: “To provide a sustainable, safe, accessible and effective transport system which meets the region’s climate change requirements, serves the needs of urban and rural communities, and supports economic growth.”

Four Strategic Priorities:

01 – Resilient and Sustainable

  • Decarbonize transport to meet Climate Change Act targets (net zero by 2050)
  • Priority on electric vehicle transition as primary decarbonization method
  • Improve network resilience to climate change and aging infrastructure

02 – Connected and Inclusive Communities

  • Active travel expansion (minimum 10% of transport budget)
  • Public transport improvements with bus priority measures
  • Better integration between transport modes
  • Inclusive design for all users

03 – Safe and Healthy

  • Road safety improvements – goal of zero deaths by 2050
  • 20mph speed limits in urban areas
  • Improve air quality

04 – Green Growth

  • Efficient freight movement via Strategic Transport Network
  • Gateway connectivity (ports and airports)
  • Support green economy through sustainable transport

Critical Context: Maintenance Crisis

The strategy reveals a stark reality:

  • £195m annual need for structural maintenance (only £127m currently funded)
  • £1.2bn maintenance backlog across the road network
  • “Maintenance first” approach before new infrastructure
  • Lowest transport spend per capita in the UK

SLC Proposal Assessment: Strong Strategic Alignment

✅ EXCELLENT FIT: Resilient and Sustainable

Our November 2024 “landing zone” analysis demonstrates strong alignment:

Resilience Benefits:

  • Eliminates weather disruptions: 848 ferry sailings lost annually due to weather/technical issues
  • 24/7 operation: Critical for emergency services (addresses Bengoa report healthcare access concerns)
  • Network redundancy: Alternative to single ferry dependency

Sustainability Credentials:

  • Self-financing model: Reduces long-term public subsidy (current ferry 59% subsidized)
  • Lower emissions: Bridge operation vs. diesel ferry service
  • Evidence-based: Comprehensive data analysis aligns with strategy’s emphasis on robust decision-making

✅ STRONG FIT: Connected Communities

Rural Connectivity:

  • Links isolated peninsula: Improves access for Ards Peninsula communities
  • Economic development: Tourism and business growth potential
  • Integration opportunity: Could connect with active travel networks

Inclusive Benefits:

  • Accessible design: 24/7 access vs. limited ferry hours
  • Emergency access: Critical for healthcare and services
  • Community support: 94% indicate current service inadequate

✅ GOOD FIT: Supporting Green Growth

Economic Catalyst:

  • Gateway enhancement: Improved access to ports and tourism assets
  • Freight efficiency: Reliable crossing for commercial vehicles
  • Regional balance: Addresses connectivity inequalities

⚠️ POTENTIAL CHALLENGE: Environmental Considerations

The Strategy Emphasizes “Ecologically Responsible” Development:

  • Strangford Lough is one of only three Marine Nature Reserves in the UK
  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designation
  • Strategy commits to nature-based solutions and biodiversity protection

Mitigation Precedent:

  • Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge successfully navigated similar environmental challenges
  • Modern bridge design can minimize marine impact
  • Potential for integrated environmental enhancements

Strategic Pathway Assessment

Current Status: Not Included

The Transport Strategy 2035 makes no mention of a Strangford Lough crossing, indicating it’s not currently prioritized within the £1.2bn maintenance backlog context.

Why Our Enhanced Proposal Changes the Game

Professional Credibility:

  • Detailed technical analysis (extradosed bridge design)
  • Comprehensive financial modeling (six scenarios)
  • Evidence-based traffic projections
  • Precedent studies (Cleddau Bridge growth patterns)

Policy Alignment:

  • Self-financing: Addresses funding constraints
  • Evidence-based: Meets strategy’s decision-making criteria
  • Resilience focus: Addresses network vulnerabilities
  • Community-driven: Strong local support demonstrated

Realistic Timeline Assessment

2025-2027: Foundation Building

  • Eastern Transport Plan inclusion: Long-term aspiration status
  • Feasibility study: Independent DfI assessment
  • Environmental scoping: Early impact evaluation
  • Political engagement: Cross-party support development

2027-2030: Momentum Building

  • Strategy mid-term review: Potential formal inclusion
  • Detailed studies: Traffic, environmental, engineering assessments
  • Funding alignment: Irish Shared Island Fund or alternative mechanisms
  • Planning preparation: Pre-application groundwork

2030-2035: Potential Delivery

  • Construction start: If all approvals achieved
  • Maintenance backlog addressed: Changing funding priorities
  • Political momentum: Sustained cross-party support

Key Success Factors

1. Environmental Impact Management

  • Demonstrate minimal ecological disruption
  • Integrate environmental enhancements
  • Stakeholder engagement with conservation groups

2. Traffic Growth Validation

  • Independent verification of projections
  • Conservative modeling approach
  • Precedent evidence (Cleddau Bridge success)

3. Financial Robustness

  • Maintain self-financing model
  • Flexible public contribution scenarios
  • Risk mitigation strategies

4. Political Champion Development

  • Cross-party support building
  • Local government backing
  • Ministerial engagement

Conclusion: Enhanced Strategic Position

The Transport Strategy 2035 provides a more favorable policy landscape for the Strangford Lough Crossing than previous strategies. Our enhanced proposal demonstrates:

Strong Strategic Alignment:

  • ✅ Evidence-based approach
  • ✅ Self-financing model
  • ✅ Resilience benefits
  • ✅ Community connectivity
  • ✅ Economic development potential

Remaining Challenges:

  • ⚠️ Environmental impact management
  • ⚠️ Funding priority competition
  • ⚠️ Traffic growth assumptions

The pathway forward requires sustained advocacy, environmental due diligence, and political momentum building. The Transport Strategy 2035 framework provides the tools and criteria for serious consideration – our task is to meet them comprehensively.

Next steps: Respond to Transport Strategy consultation highlighting SLC alignment with strategic priorities, while advancing environmental and traffic studies to strengthen the evidence base.

For detailed technical and financial analysis, see our November 2024 “Landing Zone” assessment. Survey data and community feedback continue to demonstrate strong local support for a permanent crossing solution.