oldwarrenpointforum

Following a meeting with the Minister for Regional Development Mr. Danny Kennedy, last week in Stormont, members of the Warrenpoint, and Kilkeel Chambers of Commerce who attended this very important discussion said they were very pleased with the outcome. Jim Boylan from the Warrenpoint Chamber stressed the importance of the bridge from an economic point of view, and advised the minister how gutted the residents of the entire area were, when at the last minute, last year, the funding was withdrawn. Gordon Coulter from Kilkeel Chamber said the area needs this bridge and that it was vital for the necessary promotion of tourism along the east coast.

Minister Kennedy who has met with the lobby group on two previous occasions during the last round of SEUPB funding was very supportive going forward for the next round of SEUPB funding which commences this year and proceeded to outline the Inter Regional funding requirements. It was felt tourism was the major thematic objective, and all present expressed their determination to drive this forward. Minister Kennedy was also advised that the lobby group had recently met with the Minister of Finance Simon Hamilton who had also encouraged support to pursue the project, and Mr. Kennedy said that he would be talking to him about this as soon as possible.

Politicians are experts at meeting, speaking, saying nothing plausible and doing absolutely diddly squat. I trust for the south down populace a change is in the offing. Thank you Brian for staying up on the subject.

Good to hear of the continuing support
of the Minister.
Can we assume the original offer of
funding will be forthcoming from Europe,
this time around.
The Project will require Ministerial approval,
what are the chances of it being discussed
at Ministerial level this time.!!

More publicity is needed for the Project.
I contrast the publicity given to the new
Pedestrian Bridge in Belfast with that given
to Narrow Water, and note the difference.

I live only 40 miles from Warrenpoint and
people in my area know little of the Bridge,
and even less of the reason for the failure
of the Project to progress.

Publicity puts pressure on Politicians.

Good luck to Jim and his associates.