Politicians have mixed views on cable car into the Mournes

Politicians have mixed views on cable car into the Mournes

22 March 2023

THERE has been mixed political reaction to the £44m Mournes Gateway proposal which features a cable car ride into the heart of the mountains.

Billed as an “iconic tourist facility” and funded by the Belfast Region City Deal and Newry, Mourne and Down Council, the cable car will transport people to a new visitor centre proposed for a former quarry site on Thomas’s mountain.

Those behind the highly ambitious scheme insist it is designed to position the local area as one of the province’s premier tourism districts, creating 33 new jobs and encouraging additional investment in the resort and wider area, particularly in new visitor accommodation. 

It is being suggested that if the year-round international tourism project gets the green light, it could attract 365,000 visitors annually after five years in business, generating just over £5m for the district by this point and support businesses across the wider area.

Alliance politicians have called for a public inquiry into the proposed flagship tourist project which they have described as a “vanity project”, with the DUP supporting it, pointing to the positive impact that it will have on the economy. But the party insists the natural environment of the Mournes needs to be protected.

Alliance South Down MLA Patrick Brown believes there are “fundamental questions” about the major investment which the local council has yet to answer, voicing concern about the “environmental devastation” the project could cause.

He has accused the local authority of “ploughing on with the project” despite there being aspects that are “unclear or unanswered”.

Mr Brown continued: “The National Trust owns the land and has stated it has concerns with the project and we don’t understand how the council is pressing ahead with this plan.

“Other questions remain around wastewater infrastructure, impact of sea mist on the steel used for the visitor centre, projected visitor numbers and maintenance costs and if visitors will be given access to the mountains from the visitor centre. There is also the impact on the environment and natural habitats.”

Mr Brown said the local authority’s desire appears to be to attract more visitors to the area, despite the public infrastructure such as car parks, toilets, bins and roads buckling under current visitor numbers, asking if the £44m could not instead be invested in caring for the landscape, restoring and improving it instead of embarking on a vanity project.

He continued: “We understand and appreciate the desire to make the area more accessible, however, we and many others believe this could be achieved in a more cost effective and environmentally sensitive way, for example by investing in existing paths and providing vehicular uplifts to the Thomas Quarry site.”

Mr Brown believes the only way forward is for the council to be “completely transparent” on the work that has been done to date, including publishing all work undertaken by consultants.

He added: “We urgently need a proper public consultation on the gondola concept in order to gauge public feeling. It is time that other local parties stopped eagerly supporting whatever projects council management put in front of them and take a stand for the environment and sustainable tourism.”

Mournes DUP councillors Glyn Hanna and Henry Reilly are keen for the Mournes Gateway project to be delivered.

Cllr Hanna said that for too long, the Mourne mountains have been “neglected” when it comes to investment.  

“The area has huge tourist potential and I welcome this significant outside investment in the area via the City Deal.  It is exciting to see Newry, Mourne and Down Council developing the concept of a world class tourist attraction to deliver on this investment.

“I want to see this area thrive with a sensible investment that helps boost footfall across the wider Mournes area, not just Newcastle. It is also the important that traffic congestion issues are taken seriously as we already have problems when people flock to the Mournes and am pleased to see plans for a park and ride facility.”

Cllr Hanna added: “Above all, it is important that we preserve the natural environment of the Mournes. The land, habitats and beauty should be respected and it is important that we hold the council to account to ensure that all these factors are reviewed and taken account of in the design and development of the project.”

Cllr Reilly said it is understandable that many local people have “serious concerns” over this project, as councillors also do.

“Whilst we welcome the investment, it is our job to safeguard the Mourne mountains and ensure environmental impact assessments are considered throughout,” he continued.

“I welcome the fact that the council held an open consultation event in Newcastle for people to ask their questions. This project is still in the design phase and has a long way to go and I am committed to keeping close scrutiny on the project.”