Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has outlined his commitment to the Newry Southern Relief Road scheme with confirmation that the draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Statutory Orders for the scheme will be published this month.

The Minister has also announced that a staffed Orders Exhibition Day will be held at Newry Leisure Centre, Cecil Street, Newry, on Tuesday 21 January 2025. The formal consultation will then take place for a period of six weeks where the information will be available to view online and at Newry Leisure Centre and various other locations.

Minister O’Dowd said:

“I am committed to the delivery of the Newry Southern Relief Road Scheme, and I am pleased to confirm that I have signed off on the publication of the draft Statutory Orders and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for this significant scheme.

“The scheme will help to relieve traffic congestion within Newry City centre, reduce journey travel times for strategic traffic, improve road safety and enhance the city centre environment. The scheme will also provide significant opportunities for the enhancement and reshaping of Newry City centre to promote sustainable travel choices.

“To help keep the local community informed about progress with the scheme, my Department is holding a staffed Orders Exhibition Day at Newry Leisure Centre, Cecil Street, Newry, on Tuesday 21 January. This will provide an opportunity to engage with Departmental staff and the engineering consultants who can provide detail on work to date and the next steps in progressing the scheme.”

The EIAR and draft Statutory Orders will be published on Tuesday 21 January 2025 on the Department’s website.

The exhibition display of the proposed scheme will be available as follows:

  • Date: Tuesday 21 January to Tuesday 4 March 2025 inclusive
  • Time: 10am-9pm
  • Venue: Newry Leisure Centre, Cecil Street, Newry, Co. Down. BT35 6AU

The exhibition will also be available between 21 January to 4 March at the following locations:

  • DfI Headquarters, James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Belfast, BT7 2Ja
  • DfI Southern Division, Marlborough House, Central Way, Craigavon, BT64 1AD
  • DfI Newry Section Office, 3 Springhill Road, Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry, BT35 6EF
  • Newry Leisure Centre, Cecil Street, Newry, BT35 6AU
  • Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry BT34 2BY
  • Newry City Library, 79 Hill Street Newry Down BT34 1DG

You may make representation at the venues, or by email, letter and telephone as detailed below to:

  • Email: southern.sri@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
  • Address: Major Projects Team South, DfI, Marlborough House, Central Way, Craigavon, BT64 1AD
  • Telephone: (028) 3832 0409/articles/newry-southern-relief-road-overview

Project information is available at the Department’s website: /articles/newry-southern-relief-road-overview.