A bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland 'is feasable'

A road between Northern Ireland and Scotland is feasible, according to an architect who has been looking into the plans since 2018.

The issue was brought up once again following the publication of the interim Union Connectivity Review by the British Government today.

The idea of the review is to identify where transport links can be strengthened across the UK post Brexit.

It also identified the A75, and the need to dual it.

it's viewed as a vital route for the import and export of goods into and from Northern Ireland.

Despite the promising future of the A75, the A77 was not highlighted for development.

Johhn Campbell from Maybole is a member of the A77 Action Group and can’t understand the decision. He said: "More than 90% of people using the road told a survey they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with it.

"There is no other trunk road in Scotland that comes close to that.

"Yet again we are being absolutely, totally ignored by both the UK and Scottish Governments, which have both now looked at this road.

"We’re absolutely gutted. The A77 has been kicked in the teeth.

"The 50 miles between Ayr and Stranraer includes eight towns and villages, whereas the 100 miles of the A75 road only has two small villages.

"All the money that has ever come to the south west of Scotland has always gone to the A75.

"We just don’t understand why this part and one of the major trunk roads in Scotland has been so badly neglected. And that’s it neglected once again."

The controversial part of the proposals could see a bridge or tunnel constructed over the Irish Sea.

Architect Alan Dunlop believes hard connection between Scotland and Northern Ireland can be completed.

He said: "Whether it's possible or not, of course it is.

"We have the architectural and engineering talent throughout the UK.

"I think we have the best engineers and architects in the world here to carry out this.

"There's no doubt there are geological and architectural challenges deal with but they can be overcome."

He also recognises that the project is not being well received by many people, but believes it could actually help simmer political tensions.

He said: "It would link Scotland, England and Ireland and I think on cultural and social issue I think a physical connection between the countries can be nothing but a good thing.

"There are dissapointingly some comments in newspapers aimed at how difficult it might be to deal with these political comments but some of these are actually quite raw sectarian comments.

"My own view is a physical connection connecting countries can be nothing but a good thing."

The government is spending £20 million on a feasibility study to develop plans for road, sea and air links.

Commenting on the report Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said: "It’s now time to build back better in a way which brings every corner of the UK closer together.

"We will harness the incredible power of infrastructure to level up parts of our country that have too long been left off the transport map.

"This pioneering review by Sir Peter Hendy gives us the tools we need to deliver on our ambitions for a UK-wide transport network that encompasses sea, rail, and road – and I also want to cut passenger duty on domestic flights so we can support connectivity across the country."

Michael Matheson, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said:

“I spoke to Sir Peter Hendy and Grant Shapps and again made clear that transport infrastructure is a devolved matter and the Union Connectivity Review was established without any discussion and consultation with Scotland, Wales and NI.

“We will always seek to engage constructively with the UK Government, but never in a way that undermines the devolution settlement. This review is a systematic attack on the Scottish Parliament’s powers – a power grab that fundamentally undermines devolution.

“We already have a robust process for evidencing future transport infrastructure investment in Scotland - STPR2, not the Union Connectivity Review. We will consider the UCR Interim report and respond in due course.

“What Scotland really needs now is an infrastructure-led economic recovery to deliver new jobs and speed up the transition to net zero – which won’t be possible with the 5% cut to our capital budget in the UK Spending Review for 2021-22.”

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