Sir, – Dundalk Chamber of Commerce has learned with shock and huge disappointment of the news of the postponement of the Narrow Water bridge (Breaking News, July 10th). What is needed now is a plan to put the project back on track again.
At public meetings in the past there was an acceptance that if the bridge had to be tolled, then this would be a reasonable price to pay.
The chamber has built up a strong relationship with the chambers in Newry and Mourne and we are convinced of the huge latent tourist potential of the area. We would hope that a combination of the two governments and EU can still keep this unique venture on track. We need to see a combination of innovative thinking, goodwill and cost control.
We would ask that the project not have VAT charged on it and the possibility of a public-private partnership be examined as a matter of urgency.
This bridge was to be a symbol of peace, reconciliation and a new future for the tourist area of Mournes, Gullion and Cooley. It is too important to fail at this time and with goodwill we believe that we can succeed.
The question of how the cost was so badly estimated needs to be addressed at a later time. – Yours, etc,
PADDY MALONE,
Dundalk Chamber
of Commerce,
Unit 4,
Partnership Court,
Park Street,
Dundalk, Co Louth.