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Critics pour scorn on Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge idea
Source: The Guardian
Critics pour scorn on Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge idea
Architect and PM’s enthusiasm for Celtic crossing tempered by local cynicism of ‘pipe dream’
Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent
Tue 11 Feb 2020 17.19 GMT
Last modified on Tue 11 Feb 2020 20.45 GMT
“The stars are aligning” for a bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to the principal advocate for a Celtic crossing, the leading architect Alan Dunlop.
Although engineering experts have dismissed the concept as “bonkers”, Dunlop has been pressing for serious discussion of Boris Johnson’s latest grand infrastructure scheme since he conducted a feasibility study into the proposal in 2018, when he first raised the prospect.
Basing his calculations on similar-sized structures, Dunlop estimates the project would cost between £15bn and £20bn.
“People don’t take it as seriously as it deserves because it is associated with a divisive politician,” Dunlop said. “You have to separate the architectural, economic and engineering merits from resentment towards Boris Johnson.”
-snip-
Architect and PM’s enthusiasm for Celtic crossing tempered by local cynicism of ‘pipe dream’
Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent
Tue 11 Feb 2020 17.19 GMT
Last modified on Tue 11 Feb 2020 20.45 GMT
“The stars are aligning” for a bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to the principal advocate for a Celtic crossing, the leading architect Alan Dunlop.
Although engineering experts have dismissed the concept as “bonkers”, Dunlop has been pressing for serious discussion of Boris Johnson’s latest grand infrastructure scheme since he conducted a feasibility study into the proposal in 2018, when he first raised the prospect.
Basing his calculations on similar-sized structures, Dunlop estimates the project would cost between £15bn and £20bn.
“People don’t take it as seriously as it deserves because it is associated with a divisive politician,” Dunlop said. “You have to separate the architectural, economic and engineering merits from resentment towards Boris Johnson.”
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/11/hopes-rise-bridge-linking-scotland-northern-ireland
______________________________________________________________________
Source: BBC
Work 'under way' into Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge feasibility
10 February 2020
Work is under way "by a range of government officials" to look at the idea of building a Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge, No 10 has said.
Boris Johnson has described the bridge as a "very interesting idea", while Ireland's premier Leo Varadkar has said it was "worth examining".
But Nicola Sturgeon said there were "more important priorities".
Two routes have previously been floated - from Portpatrick to Larne or near Campbeltown to the Antrim coast.
The Portpatrick route would be more than 20 miles across the Irish Sea.
-snip-
10 February 2020
Work is under way "by a range of government officials" to look at the idea of building a Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge, No 10 has said.
Boris Johnson has described the bridge as a "very interesting idea", while Ireland's premier Leo Varadkar has said it was "worth examining".
But Nicola Sturgeon said there were "more important priorities".
Two routes have previously been floated - from Portpatrick to Larne or near Campbeltown to the Antrim coast.
The Portpatrick route would be more than 20 miles across the Irish Sea.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-51443191
