AQW 36237/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 25/11/2025
Answered On Date: 10/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail why the option to build a bridge over Strangford Lough was rejected during business case consideration, before the last ferry was purchased.

Answer:

The 2013 Strategic Review of the Strangford Lough Ferry Service considered alternative proposals to the ferry service, including the option of a bridge however, the review concluded a bridge was not an economically viable solution. The subsequent business case for the replacement of MV Strangford did not consider the provision of a bridge given that its central objective was to enable the Strangford Lough Ferry Service to continue to operate the current scheduled service.

The Strangford Lough Ferry Service operates every day of the year except Christmas day, from early morning to late-night serving both the local community and local tourism through the provision of a reliable service and is considered the most economical transportation link between Strangford and Portaferry.