There is a European Union justification for a fixed link from Ulster to Scotland

By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2019, 08:32 BST
A map of Cork - Dublin - Belfast - Stranraer taken from the EU European Commission Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) documentA map of Cork - Dublin - Belfast - Stranraer taken from the EU European Commission Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) document
A map of Cork - Dublin - Belfast - Stranraer taken from the EU European Commission Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) document
A very strategic argument for a Belfast fixed link has perhaps been lying right under noses.

The European Union defines Cork to Dublin to Belfast to Stranraer as one of the top 10 of Trans-European networks.

This certainly implies a fixed link and reinstatement of the Dumfries to Stranraer line.

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After all how else is continental Europe to be accessed in a speedy and efficient way?

Such a facility would inter-join the UK and create a bigger UK logistics sector including a marshalling yard in Belfast area.

And in European terms it would be as strategic as the Oresund Bridge Gotthard and Brenner Base Tunnels.

On these grounds a case for EU support and buy in.

John Barstow, Pulborough, West Sussex

Related topics:European UnionBelfastUlsterStranraerEuropeDumfries