Gondola petition reaches debate stage in Stormont

Gondola petition reaches debate stage in Stormont

27 November 2024

A PETITION against the controversial gondola ride into the Mournes which has secured over 5,000 signatures will be presented at the Assembly next week.

The cable car ride is part of the £44m Mournes Gateway Project which is bring financed by the Belfast Region City Deal and Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

The petition will be formally presented to Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy by South Down MLA Andy McMurray prior to a debate on the issue.

News the petition has passed the 5,000 mark —which paves the way for it to be presented to the Assembly — comes after the National Trust reaffirmed that it did not endorse the multi-million pound project.

The flagship tourism project is aimed at “redefining the visitor experience of the Mournes” but has been met with vehement opposition.

Heather McLachlan – the National Trust’s Northern Ireland Director – said the  conservation charity remained “deeply concerned” about the environmental impact of the project.

She said the Trust which owns Slieve Donard, was not involved in the development or design, no did it endorse the project.

She said the Trust would not provide a lease for Thomas’s quarry where a new visitor centre is planned, unless a full environmental impact assessment has been carried out.

Mr McMurray hopes the number of people who have signed the petition will draw Mr Murphy’s and the Assembly’s attention to the amount of feeling towards the project.

He said he also hopes Mr Murphy will exert some influence to engage in a rethink of what he described as its “problematic elements”. 

He continued:  “It would be hoped that the more sustainable and publicly palatable options for enhancing the Mourne Mountains, while also stimulating economic growth, could be further explored which would benefit residents and visitors to Newcastle and wider South Down.

“Public opinion expressed to me over the years in opposition to this project has been unabated and constant and I share many of the arguments which have been raised against it.”

Mr McMurray said concern remains over the lack of public consultation with many people feeling that despite engagement sessions, their voices and concerns have not been heard or acted upon.

“Other more sustainable alternatives have not been properly considered. This project also goes against the current trend which is seeing the removal of such ‘upland’ visitor centres,” he continued.

“The long term financial risk that this project will place upon ratepayers is too great and there are concerns that the previously estimated project cost will have risen significantly over the last number of years.”

Mr McMurray said the project “threatens some unique and special environmental areas” and grave concerns remain about the sustainability of the project within such a natural environment.

“A cable car and visitor centre are industrial scale additions to what is an area of scenic natural beauty,” he said.

“The Glen River is one of the most aesthetically pleasing routes into the Mournes and the very thought of a loud industrial cable car going overhead is ill conceived.”

Mr McMurray claimed the project had the potential to divert money from local businesses. 

“Many other tourist areas have seen negative economic impacts of such single developments with many visitors simply being bussed in and bussed out spending very little amongst the local traders,” he said.

“The National Trust, as the owner of the land, still has not granted consent to this project. And the inclement weather is likely to impact upon the operational days of the gondola to the point that it would not be economically viable.”