Unionist leaders differ over Scottish tunnel link – while SDLP tell Westminster to back off

The leaders of Northern Ireland’s main unionist parties have given contrasting reactions to the idea of building a tunnel to Scotland.
By David Young
Published 6th Mar 2020, 18:06 BST
A map showing proposed routes for a proposed bridge linking Scotland and Northern Ireland; a new proposal put forward this week involves a tunnel rather than a surface bridgeA map showing proposed routes for a proposed bridge linking Scotland and Northern Ireland; a new proposal put forward this week involves a tunnel rather than a surface bridge
A map showing proposed routes for a proposed bridge linking Scotland and Northern Ireland; a new proposal put forward this week involves a tunnel rather than a surface bridge

First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster described the suggestion as “positive”, while UUP leader Steve Aiken insisted the tens of billions it requires would be better spent on other more pressing concerns in the region.

The politicians were asked to respond to comments from Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, who on Thursday said he favoured a tunnel rather than a bridge as a way to link the two nations.

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Mr Jack told a parliamentary committee in Scotland that Boris Johnson is “on the same page” as him, despite the Prime Minister having previously strongly advocated for a bridge.

Critics have raised multiple concerns about the practicalities of building any sort of road link between Scotland and Northern Ireland, insisting the idea is just not realistic.

As well as the major costs (estimated at between £20 and £30 billion) there is a huge Second World War munitions dump at the bottom of Beaufort’s Dyke in the Irish Sea.

Mr Jack said the munitions dump would not be an issue with a tunnel, and said he had been told by a number of engineers going underground would cost less than building a bridge.

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Reacting at Stormont, Mrs Foster said: “I think it is important that we do have those connections. We have seen during the week how we can be disconnected by what happened to Flybe. If we look at a feasibility study about a bridge or a tunnel I think those are positive things to look at.”

Mr Aiken was more sceptical.

“I would like to fly on a direct flight out of Belfast City Airport to either Edinburgh and Glasgow and I think that’s the priority at the minute.”

Meanwhile Nichola Mallon, the SDLP transport minister, said the money would be “better spent” on transport projects within Northern Ireland and in Scotland.

She also penned an open letter to the transport secretary Grant Shapps, saying that transport is a devolved matter and calling on him to ensure “any future proposals which encroach into the devolved responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Government are fully discussed with us first”.

Related topics:Alister JackArlene FosterSteve AikenFirst MinisterNorthern IrelandSDLPDUP