NI to Scotland bridge to proceed with feasibility study - Boris Johnson expected to confirm when he visits Scotland on Thursday

Mr. Johnson and his cabinet are said to be concerned over the future of the union.

It has been reported that during the first meeting of the cabinet in the foreign office on Tuesday, Prime Minister Johnson told ministers to be more visible in Scotland and to start engaging with the Scottish media more frequently.

Mr. Johnson will use his visit to thank the military and emergency services in Scotland for their hard work and dedication throughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

It is expected the prime minister will announce a feasibility study into the possible construction of the 28 mile long bridge between Larne and Portpatrick during the visit, according to the Daily Record.

There has been some support for the bridge but there has been considerable criticism on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Engineering experts have labelled the idea "bonkers" namely because the bridge would likely have to traverse Beaufort's Dyke in the Irish Sea.

Beaufort's Dyke became the United Kingdom's largest offshore dump site for surplus conventional and chemical munitions after the Second World War.

Other critics have said that due to severe weather conditions the bridge could be closed for long periods of time.

It is estimated the bridge would cost approximately £20b to construct.