Mid and East Antrim Council hears call to subsidise ferry travel

Councillors suggested that subsidised travel could be a way forward in response to a ‘connectivity’ review announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The Prime Minister said that the review would examine how best to improve road, rail, air and sea links among the four regions of the United Kingdom and to “bring forward funding to accelerate infrastructure projects”.

The Chancellor has announced a £4bn “levelling up fund” with areas across the UK able to bid directly to fund local projects.

The feasibility of building a bridge or tunnel between Northern Ireland and Scotland is to be examined as part of the national review.

Mr Johnson has mooted the bridge idea several times and the Government confirmed earlier this year it was being discussed by officials.

Last month Mid and East Antrim chief executive Anne Donaghy wrote to Sir Peter Hendy, Network Rail chair, who is leading the review  highlighting the significance of Larne port and the council’s connections with Dumfries and Galloway through the North Channel Partnership.

Speaking at the meeting, Carrickfergus DUP Alderman Billy Ashe MBE said: “The big problem we have here in Northern Ireland is the cost of travel between ourselves and the mainland. We should be looking at subsidised travel for our citizens across the Irish Sea.”

Ald Ashe also questioned the air duty levy.

“In the meantime, I would like to see the government do something about subsidised travel,” he stated.

Party colleague Larne Lough Cllr Andrew Clarke said: “It is not just vital for the economy but affords tremendous opportunities for our young people.”

He told councillors it had been cheaper for his family to fly to Italy than a ferry crossing to Scotland.

He noted that government subsidies are provided for other islands in Europe.

Larne Lough Alliance Cllr Danny Donnelly asked the chief executive to highlight the importance of the A75/77 road in Scotland to the economy of Mid and East Antrim and to investigate the possibility of subsidised ferry crossings.

Bannside Sinn Fein Cllr Ian Friary said that although he acknowledged the significance of the Scottish roads, he suggested the council should “concentrate on our own roads and infrastructure in Mid and East Antrim instead of worrying about Scotland”.

Party colleague Coast Road Cllr James McKeown commented that a haulage firm had moved due to cost at Larne.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

Click here to read: Call for ‘Freeport’ to be established in Larne

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