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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Border bridge receives go-ahead | Border bridge receives go-ahead |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A cross-border bridge linking County Down to County Louth is to be part-funded by cash from the Irish government's National Development Plan. | A cross-border bridge linking County Down to County Louth is to be part-funded by cash from the Irish government's National Development Plan. |
| When completed the bridge would span Carlingford Lough near Narrow Water Castle. | When completed the bridge would span Carlingford Lough near Narrow Water Castle. |
| The SDLP's PJ Bradley said he received assurances that the Irish government would contribute 14 million euros to the project. | |
| However, Danny Kennedy of the UUP said the bridge was "unnecessary". | However, Danny Kennedy of the UUP said the bridge was "unnecessary". |
| Mr Bradley, assembly member for the area, said he had been told by the Republic's Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern his government would contribute 14 million euros to the cost of the bridge. | |
| "This announcement will help develop and expand the north-eastern economic corridor and give a new impetus to tourism in the area," he said. | "This announcement will help develop and expand the north-eastern economic corridor and give a new impetus to tourism in the area," he said. |
| The bridge will span Carlingford Lough near Narrow Water Castle | The bridge will span Carlingford Lough near Narrow Water Castle |
| "It is the news that many people in the area have waited decades for. I hope that work on the bridge will begin as soon as possible." | "It is the news that many people in the area have waited decades for. I hope that work on the bridge will begin as soon as possible." |
| However, UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said he believed building a bridge at the site was unnecessary. | However, UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said he believed building a bridge at the site was unnecessary. |
| "The real focus should be on creating a relief road closer to Newry," he said. | "The real focus should be on creating a relief road closer to Newry," he said. |
| "This is a misty-eyed project that has no economic benefit for the Newry area." | "This is a misty-eyed project that has no economic benefit for the Newry area." |
| Earlier this week, the Irish government announced it was to spend about £800m on Northern Ireland-related infrastructure projects over the next six years. | Earlier this week, the Irish government announced it was to spend about £800m on Northern Ireland-related infrastructure projects over the next six years. |
| The money is part of the Irish goverment's £120bn National Development Plan to be implemented over the next six years. | The money is part of the Irish goverment's £120bn National Development Plan to be implemented over the next six years. |
| Narrow Water Castle was the scene of an IRA ambush in 1979 when 18 soldiers were killed in two explosions. | Narrow Water Castle was the scene of an IRA ambush in 1979 when 18 soldiers were killed in two explosions. |