NI: Build a bridge and get over it.

[joel]

doubt it would be viable either. The only country that it would benefit would be Ireland, so it would all fall on the Irish exchequer to pay for it.

Far be it for me to question your great intellect, but the bridge would be between Scotland and Northern Ireland: why would the Irish be expected to pay for a British bridge?

Dunno.. maybe its because we live on an island.. and export goods.. and a landbridge to the UK might be handy for exporting stuff

Just a guess mind

So a UK bridge will be paid for by Irish taxpayers. Who will own the bridge?

And why would the goods be transported the length of Ireland and down through Scotland?

[st333ve]

So a UK bridge will be paid for by Irish taxpayers. Who will own the bridge?

And why would the goods be transported the length of Ireland and down through Scotland?

They already do.

We buy vacume packed meat from the south and it is packaged up and shipped over to scotland on lorries.
They are regularly hampered by cancelled boats and missing boat schedules.

We buy and sell products all over ireland also, come up north and count the amount of southern reg. lorries on the motorways.
Goods are also shipped over from as far away as Thailand.

The border is political, businesses dont give a sh1t about politics they do what turns a profit, therefore they will ship, buy and sell to anywhere in the UK or even europe.

If you think the ROI is self sufficient you are very much mistaken.

You would be surprised where half the ingrediants in your daily foods have travelled from.

Have you ever seen the border its hardly the greatest obsticle for your average lorry driver

Busness is driven by money, buying and selling.
Different road markings cant stop the flow of money.

[corkman2007]

Now all we have to do is convince the Scots to allow us build a motorway through their countryside.

Shouldn't be a problem. They've already built plenty (and plenty of dual-carriageways) themselves.

A possible route, taking most advantage of the existing road networks, would run from the N.I. A26 road (north of Ballymena) towards Fair Head, then tunnel to the Mull of Kintyre, then along the eastern side of the Kintyre peninsula for a short distance, with a bridge or tunnel crossing the Kilbrannan Sound across to the Isle of Arran. A road across Arran would lead to another bridge/tunnel which would connect with the mainland somewhere near Ardrossan on the Ayrshire coast. From there it's only a short distance to the Scottish/British motorway network.

To check it out, go to http://www.viamichelin.com and type in Glasgow as the city. When Glasgow appears, just move west and south.

[dotski_w_]

I have heard this before but I heard more resently
Plans to build a tunnel between Ireland and Wales Highly doubt it however

I have also, which is much more fesible, heard plans for a tunel between ourselves and africa. From eithre spain or portugal

Why are Germany and Denmark building a bridge they are connected by land to one another

Jutland (the mainland) is, but Zeeland (sp?) is an island and Copenhagen is on that. Technically its connected with the European mainland, but by the bridge to Malmo - bit of drive around to Germany!

[HanleyS]

Although at one point ireland is very close to scotland, the waters in between them are extremely rough and trying to build a bridge here would be very difficult.
Also i dont think there would be such a need.

I'm sure it's quite tame compared to other climates where similar projects have been undertaken.

[st333ve]

Although at one point ireland is very close to scotland, the waters in between them are extremely rough and trying to build a bridge here would be very difficult.
Also i dont think there would be such a need.

I'm sure it's quite tame compared to other climates where similar projects have been undertaken.

No it actually is one of the places in the world with the highest amount of lighthouses.
The shortest point between ireland and scotland is not the place where boats or ferries are used because the irish sea collides with the northern channel here creating violent sea conditions.
I doubt this would be a suitable place for a bridge between ireland and scotland.

[Squire Allworthy]

Serious currents in that stretch of water, as the Irish Sea narrows. Pity we cant incorporate some energy generation along the route. Could probably power half Europe.

Would be a very expensive bridge especially as there is a deep channel. Can't see a bridge ever being built purely for reasons of cost.


Larne is one of the most efficient ports I have had the dubious pleasure of visiting. There is considerable traffic between Larne-Belfast and Scotland and north of England. They are both busy ports. The turn round times at Larne are incredible.

Probably more achievable would be the upgrading of road and rail links and this would help transport, tourism and commerce North and South. In northern Ireland the rail network is grossly underfunded and is basically neglected.

Another route of tourist interest was the Ballycastle Campeltown route shame it hasn't reopened. Was on it once and thought it had real potential.

The cost of sea travel between Ireland and Britain has always seemed to me to be on the high side.

On this Island we should be trying to develop away from Dublin to spread the opportunity and reduce congestion. In an overall transport context it would be folly for us to neglect the northern routes.

[fergalr]

The shortest point between ireland and scotland is not the place where boats or ferries are used because the irish sea collides with the northern channel here creating violent sea conditions..

A bridge over troubled waters?

[HanleyS]

On this Island we should be trying to develop away from Dublin to spread the opportunity and reduce congestion. In an overall transport context it would be folly for us to neglect the northern routes.

Hopefully once the M1 is fully completed people will see Belfast as more accessible. It is quite charming in spots. The ferry costs between Scotland and NI are strangely high. The distance is very small.

[Gimpanzee]

The crossing is 12 miles at some points. From somewhere near Larne to somewhere near Cairnryan it is 22 miles. Both distances are achievable. Economically viable though?

Cork to Swansea is 50 miles. Dublin to Holyhead is 60 miles.

Is Swansea in Waterford?