Viability concern over Mournes gondola ride

Viability concern over Mournes gondola ride

7 September 2022

CONCERN has been expressed about a key aspect of a flagship tourism project in Newcastle featuring a gondola ride into the heart of the Mournes.

The attraction is part of the £44m Mourne Gateway project which aims to significantly increase the number of visitors to the resort, revolutionise Newcastle’s tourism facilities and dramatically increase the town’s infrastructure.

The bulk of funding for the project is being provided under the Belfast City Regional Deal, with Newry, Mourne and Down Council committing £14m to the biggest tourism project ever proposed for the district.

The local authority believes that “decades of success” are on the cards for the district as a result of the City Deal funding, but there will be concern that South Down MLA Patrick Brown and his Alliance colleague, Cllr Andy McMurray, who is a member of the council, have major concerns about the proposed gondola ride from Donard Park up to a disused quarry at Thomas’s mountain.

In addition, the National Trust recently sought assurances from the local council saying that “any new project must have sustainable tourism at its heart”.

The Trust said the project needed to align with its core purpose of protecting “nature, beauty and history”, insisting that it is focused on ensuring safe access for people within the Mournes to connect with place and nature as well as the protection of habitat today and for future generations”.

It has also been confirmed that the National Trust has raised concerns with the local authority about the impact of the gondola ride on the environment and the area’s ecology.

The organisation said that assessments to date had focused on the “footprint” of the site but that “recreational pressure will extend beyond the development boundary into the designated land”.

It says the area proposed for the visitor centre at the former quarry is close to precious habitats to which increased visitor numbers would cause high risk to sensitive ecosystems.

The National Trust said any new project must have sustainable tourism at its heart, ensuring the community, environment and local economy can continue to thrive in the longer term.

Mr Brown said Alliance has been concerned about the viability of the project for some time, explaining that since the Assembly election last May, he has been actively engaging with key stakeholders and Newcastle residents on their thoughts regarding the gondola ride proposal.

He said he has found at worst, “serious concerns regarding safety and environmental impact” and at best, apathy.

Mr Brown continued: “The proposed visitor centre will be located in an extremely beautiful and sensitive part of the Mournes, which is only beginning to recover from the devastating impact of last year’s wildfire.

“Turning Thomas’s quarry into a building site carries severe environmental risk before the long-term visual impact and wildlife disturbance is even considered.”

The MLA said he knew of many local conservationists and environmental stakeholders who had “serious questions” about the gondola project, insisting that as of yet, the local authority has been “unable or unwilling to answer”.

Mr Brown said there were also significant safety and congestion concerns. 

“The gondola would appear to bring people up to Thomas’s quarry and leave them free to explore the Mournes from that location,” he continued.

“Whilst we should encourage exploration of the mountains, we must not forget it is a dangerous and harsh landscape at times. Anyone in the area will be well aware of those who have ventured up the mountain unprepared, only to require the assistance of mountain rescue. 

“Furthermore, Newcastle residents see on a daily basis during 

the summer months the impacts of congestion around Donard Park, Bloody Bridge and the town centre itself.”

Mr Brown added: “Is Newcastle’s infrastructure really ready to support this significant visitor attraction, or will it simply make local ratepayers feel even more like captives in their own homes during peak summer months?”

Cllr McMurray said the Mournes was a “world leading attraction and we are blessed to have it on our doorstep”.

He continued: “Of course, we should share this natural asset with the world and encourage tourism into our area. But our natural environment cannot be sacrificed on the alter of economic development and we must instead invest in sustainable, appropriate infrastructure that aids safe and active exploration of the Mournes. 

“That is why, as it stands and until environmental and safety concerns can be addressed, Alliance cannot support this project’s progression and the spending of over £40m of public money on it.”

Other aspects of the Mournes Gateway initiative include an Alpine coaster ride enabling people to hurtle down the side of the mountain on a single track in a buggy, an elevated tree top walk in Tollymore Forest Park and new visitor centre and bird hide at the Murlough Nature Reserve.

There are also plans and a new bridge constructed under the main Kilkeel Road at the Bloody Bridge on the outskirts of the town, with major upgrades proposed for existing car parks and new public toilet provision. 

There are also proposals to reduce the the tree line in Donard Forest on the slopes of the Mournes, with a so-called ‘green travel network’ which would allow visitors to hire bicycles and electric bikes to make their way round various attractions is also suggested.