OPPONENTS of aspects of the Mourne Mountains Gateway Project travelled to Stormont at the start of this week to present their petition to Economy Minister Conor Murphy.
The petition calls on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to halt progress on the visitor centre at Thomas’s Quarry and gondola elements of the multi-million-pound Newcastle project.
Andy Carden, of the Mourne Gateway Info Group, said the number of people who signed the petition demonstrates the level of public opposition that exists.
“We’re incredibly pleased that our petition against the Mourne Gateway Gondola has garnered more than 5,200 signatories,” said Mr Carden.
“These signatures represent the overwhelming public opposition to this aspect of the council’s plans for the project, and we urge them to abandon the gondola plan and turn to sustainable alternatives.”
The local campaigners were accompanied by South Down MLA Andrew McMurray and Alliance Mournes councillor Jill Truesdale.
Mr McMurray said there are a range of reasons why local people are expressing their opposition through the petition.
He added that these include concerns about the economic viability of the project and the impact it will have on the environment if it goes ahead.
“The strength of public opinion that has been expressed to me over the years in opposition to this aspect of the project has been constant and unabating,” said the Alliance Assembly member.
“The people of South Down are concerned, frustrated, and, frankly, fed up when it comes to the lack of regard shown for their concerns by other parties, who remain intransigent and still champion this deeply unpopular part of the plans.
“There is no shortage of reasons why we oppose the gondola and have unfortunately ended up in this situation today.
“Whether it’s the lack of public consultation on it, the disregard of other, more sustainable, alternative uses for the funding, the financial risk involved and lack of economic viability, or the threat to the local environment and disruption of our area’s vast and unique natural beauty.
“In presenting this petition to the Economy Minister, we hope to draw his attention to the feelings of local people towards this project and urge that he would exert some influence to prompt a rethink of the problematic elements.”
Cllr Truesdale added: “Openness, transparency, and ensuring value for money for our ratepayers should be at the heart of decision making at every level of government.
“From what we’ve observed so far in the development of the gondola aspect of the Gateway Project, these principles haven’t been met and I’m proud to stand alongside local campaigners making their voices heard on it.
“Going forward, we hope that the more sustainable options for enhancing the Mourne Mountains, while also stimulating economic growth, can be further explored, which would benefit both visitors to and residents of Newcastle and the wider South Down constituency.”
