SCOTLAND remains a house divided, with the First Minister pursuing her demands for a referendum this year on independence and straining for continuing access to membership of the European Union – and with many others keeping their heads down and hoping that the nationalist storm will pass.
In the meantime, Boris Johnson continues to deny Nicola Sturgeon as he moves forward with his Brexit plans and meeting his election promises to better unite the UK through improved infrastructure. His government agreed this week to the delay of payment of tax-debt to save the regional carrier Flybe and Northern Ireland got extra development funding and new life breathed into what was its zombie assembly. In Scotland, ferries lie up due to rough seas.
Two years ago, in this newspaper, I mooted the possibility of a bridge linking Scotland to Northern Ireland and gave two possible options – the first linking Portpatrick to Larne, the second the Mull of Kintyre to Torr Head. I investigated precedent and offered examples of other challenging bridge, transportation and infrastructure projects built throughout the world since 2000. I also gave costs.
Since then, there has been much debate about the physical challenges of delivering such a project – now settled – there being both the proven design and engineering skill and experience in Scotland and internationally to complete such a crossing. There has been discussion about the likely economic benefit – agreed now as positive on the basis of increased connectivity and trade, and much comment on the cultural gain to be had from closer links between our two countries – sharing as we do a rich heritage and a recent aversion to leaving the EU.
Northern Ireland is, however, to have a unique future arrangement with the EU post-Brexit, one much envied by some Scottish nationalists, that will maintain its EU links and make it the formal UK entry to that trading bloc for the foreseeable future.
There has been sustained global interest in the bridge proposal and backing from Johnson, DUP leader Arlene Foster, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and still not a word from the Scottish Government.
As an architect, I have tried to stay clear of the sometimes tendentious politics, despite accusations of being both a Unionist and a Scottish nationalist. In truth, I consider that a Celtic Crossing would be positive wherever you stand on the political divide. Supporters of independence should welcome the idea, for it offers Scotland the potential for closer ties with Northern Ireland and Eire and, logically, a stronger connection with the EU. It would demonstrate the Westminster Government’s declared commitment to spread development benefit throughout the UK and allow the SNP to position itself as an ambitious, forward-looking and outward-facing party.
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