Newry Southern Relief Road - Overview
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Southern Division is advancing the design and development of a new strategic road link to the south of Newry City, between the A1 Dublin Road dual carriageway and A2 Warrenpoint Road dual carriageway. This would provide an alternative route for strategic traffic that avoids Newry City centre.
The scheme would link to the Eastern Seaboard (A1/N1 Belfast-Dublin) Key Transport Corridor (KTC), which includes road and rail links between Larne (via the Belfast Metropolitan Area) and the border at Newry, facilitating onward travel to Dublin and improving access to other regional gateways. The scheme is part of DfI’s Strategic Road Improvement (SRI) Programme and has also been identified within the Banbridge, Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015.
EU funding was granted for development studies only for the Newry Southern Relief Road scheme.
Background
Newry City has for many years suffered from traffic congestion, some of which has been relieved by upgrading sections of the Eastern Seaboard (A1/N1 Belfast-Dublin) KTC to a high standard dual carriageway.
Current Position
The Department announced the Preferred Route in October 2018. Subsequent feedback since that time has informed the design development of the scheme. Feedback from the summer 2019 community consultation was considered in refining the emerging design used for the technical Scheme Assessment Reports, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the draft Statutory Orders. The publication of the draft Statutory Orders and EIAR commences a six-week public consultation period, where the Department welcomes comments from all members of the community.
The Department on 14th August 2023 published a prioritised list of major road schemes that will continue to be progressed. There are a number of reasons why the prioritisation of projects, currently in the pipeline, was necessary, including the challenging budgetary position and constrained resources (in terms of finance and staff) and, importantly, the Department’s commitments under the Climate Change (NI) Act 2022.
The publication of the prioritised list of major road schemes, that will continue to be progressed, explains that development work on the Newry Southern Relief Road will continue to progress towards the next key decision regarding publication of draft Orders.
Illustrative Flythrough
Graphics for illustrative purposes only – scheme design under development and subject to change.
Work on the specimen design, draft Statutory Orders and the EIAR has now been completed and the documentation published. This work was finalised as a decision has been made on the proposed fixed bridge over the Newry Ship Canal.
The Minister, in April 2024, reviewed the previous decision, which was made in the absence of an Executive under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022 and confirmed that the decision for a 50m span fixed bridge remains unchanged.
This decision was made after detailed consideration of a range of factors, including engineering, economic, heritage impact and environmental assessments including the impact on the Scheduled Monument of Newry Canal.
A statutory public consultation was held from 21stJanuary 2025 for six weeks to 4th March 2025. Submissions received are currently being collated to help the Minister determine the need for a public inquiry.
If a public inquiry is to be held, before an independent Inspector, all those who have responded would be notified of the date and the venue at least six weeks beforehand. Notices would also be placed in the local press. All comments received would be made available to the Inspector, who may decide to make them public.
Subsequent progression of the scheme to construction remains subject to the proposal clearing the statutory procedures and having a satisfactory economic appraisal. The scheme has been successful in securing funding from the Belfast Region City Deal.
Cost
£110m to £130m
Environmental Assessment
The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) has been published for the statutory public consultation and is also available at the following link:
Scheme Documents
- Newry Southern Relief Road - Stage 1 Feasibility Study
- Newry Southern Relief Road - Stage 1 Preliminary Options Report
- Newry Southern Relief Road - Stage 2 Scheme Assessment Report
- Newry Southern Relief Road - Stage 2 Community Consultation Report
- Newry Southern Relief Road - Stage 3 Community Consultation Report
- Newry Southern Relief Road Section 75 Equality of opportunity Screening Analysis Form
- Newry Southern Relief Road - Draft Statutory Orders and EIAR
Guidance for Landowners
The link below provides guidance for landowners, residential property owners, agricultural property owners and business property owners who are impacted by road schemes.
Community and Statutory Consultations
Following publication of the draft Statutory Orders and the EIAR a formal period of consultation will commence on 21stJanuary 2025. This statutory consultation period will last for 6 weeks, closing on 4th March 2025. It provides an opportunity for anyone who wishes to express an opinion on the EIAR or to object to the making of the Orders.
Prior to completion of the final design stage the Department held a Community Information Event in Newry Leisure Centre in October 2023 which provided an opportunity for stakeholders to view the emerging final scheme proposals for the NSRR.
Previous Community Consultations
- Newry Southern Relief Road Stage 2 - Community Consultation November 2017
- Newry Southern Relief Road Stage 2 - Community Consultation Presentation November 2017
- Newry Southern Relief Road Stage 2 - Community Consultation - Information boards
- Stage 3 - Community Consultation
Last updated March 2025