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Narrow Water bridge retains planning permission

An illustration of Narrow Water bridge Expand

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An illustration of Narrow Water bridge

An illustration of Narrow Water bridge

An illustration of Narrow Water bridge

Olivia Ryan

The future of the Narrow Water bridge still hangs in the balance despite eleventh hour works in the north saving planning permission for the cross border project from expiring last week.

Permission for the ambitious project was originally granted in Northern Ireland on October 24th 2012, and was set to expire last week after five years.

But after some on-site activity began on the northern side of the proposed site for the bridge.

The proposed cable-stayed bridge would span Carlingford Lough between Omeath, County Louth and Narrow Water Castle near Warrenpoint, County Down

The scheme has been highlighted as crucial to the prospects for economic regeneration and reconciliation of the border communities.

But plans were shelved in 2013 after it emerged costs had been significantly underestimated.

Louth County Council said the €18m originally budgeted for was at least €12m shy of what was required.

Since then, the project has been on hold, despite assurances the development was 'shovel-ready.'

Louth County Council have continued to declare support for the project, despite concerns over how and when it funding could be secured to build it.

A spokesman for the council confirmed that under the planning system in Northern Ireland permission does not expire if development has commenced.

But he added: 'While this will address the issue of planning permission, funding has not been identified at this point.'

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