Plans to build a tunnel or bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland have been scrapped, reports The Irish News.
… The government appeared serious about the link…
The Irish News writes:
The Financial Times reported today that the idea is one pledge which would not be fulfilled as the Treasury looks to stick to self-imposed spending limits in next month’s Budget.
A British Government official told the paper the link – proposed between Portpatrick and Larne – was “dead – at least for now”.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously been supportive of the link.
The plans were derided in Scotland, with Transport Secretary Michael Matheson saying it could cost as much as £33 billion.
Other estimates put the cost closer to £15 billion, which would still account for a major chunk of spending as the UK comes out of the other side of the pandemic.
The government appeared serious about the link, commissioning a union connectivity review which would, in part, assess its feasibility and cost.
A spokeswoman for the UK Government did not deny that the plans had been shelved, but said: “Boosting connectivity across the UK and improving transport infrastructure are at the heart of our levelling up agenda…..”
But Nicola Sturgeon dismissed the idea, urging the Chancellor to instead send the funding to the devolved administrations to help deal with domestic issues….
