Councils Appeal To Minister For Bridge Improvement Work

A delegation from Newry & Mourne, Castleblayney and Monaghan Councils have met with NI Roads Minister Conor Murphy in Newry, to discuss Ballynacarry Bridge.

Mr Murphy was there at the request of CASA a cross border linkage programme between Newry & Mourne District Council, Castleblayney Town Council and Monaghan County Council.

The CASA Partnership was established in 2003 by the three Councils following joint meetings to address infrastructure development required at Ballynacarry Bridge.

The Partnership has since provided support to improve tourism to the tune of almost €400,000 in the Cross border region of Castleblayney and South Armagh.


The bridge linking this cross border area is the main Dundalk to Castleblayney route.

The route is a regional artery with a history of poor infrastructural development and the bridge has seen many fatalities.

Traffic flow has increased with the opening of the Dundalk Western Bypass, resulting in the urgent need for the bridge to be prioritised for infrastructural development. according to the councils.

Other agencies such as East Border Region have been lobbying for infrastucture improvements.

Speaking ahead of last week's meeting, Mayor of Newry & Mourne District Council, Councillor Colman Burns said: "Ballynacarry Bridge is regarded locally as an accident black spot and with the opening of the Dundalk Western Bypass and increased traffic, it is critical that infrastructural improvements at Ballynacarry Bridge is a priority for both DRD and NRA and the money found to implement the necessary improvements."

(PR/JM)