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Proposed Southern Relief road around Newry 'vital to the regions' future economic success'

Representatives of Newry Chamber of Commerce, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and its customers/port users at a briefing about the Newry Southern Relief Road. Picture by Newraypics/ Morrow Communications
Representatives of Newry Chamber of Commerce, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and its customers/port users at a briefing about the Newry Southern Relief Road. Picture by Newraypics/ Morrow Communications Representatives of Newry Chamber of Commerce, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and its customers/port users at a briefing about the Newry Southern Relief Road. Picture by Newraypics/ Morrow Communications

THE proposed Southern Relief Road around Newry is "vital to the regions' future economic success, especially in a post Brexit scenario", a consortium of local stakeholders has said.

A public consultation has been taking place in Newry this week, to allow members of the public to put their views forward about the infrastructure project.

The proposed scheme aims to provide a strategic transport link road between the A1/N1 Belfast to Dublin route with the A2 and Northern Ireland’s second largest port at Warrenpoint Harbour.

It is anticipated the route will significantly improve ?journey times between the A2 Warrenpoint Road and the A1/N1, while also reducing traffic congestion within Newry city centre.

A group of stakeholders, including Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade and Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, said the project "should be given priority in future budgetary considerations by the Westminster government".

Peter Conway from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority said: "There is an economic imperative that the Newry Southern Relief Road is taken forward, especially given the unique challenges presented by Brexit to our local economy.

"The Southern Relief Road will act as a strategically transport link between south Down and the Republic of Ireland and critically will ensure that Warrenpoint Harbour retains its position as the second busiest port in Northern Ireland, which in turn acts as a key economic driver for the whole region.

"In view of Brexit, this major infrastructure project on the increasingly important north south corridor must be prioritised in any future infrastructure expenditure planning and budgetary processes now being undertaken by Westminster in the absence of a local assembly and executive."