Call for investigation into money spent on failed Mourne Gateway Project
There has been a call for an investigation into the money spent by the council on the failed Mourne Mountain Gondola project.
Last week the controversial Mourne Gateway Project was put to an end after the National Trust announced that it would not allow for its land at Thomas's Quarry to be used for the Gondola and Visitor Station.
The Mourne Mountain project was supported by £30m through the Belfast Region City Deal with the rest from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, including any other costs.
Read more: National Trust to 'answer questions' over decision to pull out of Mournes Gateway project
Read more: Mourne Gateway Project meeting sparks 'breach of conduct' complaint
Alliance Newry, Mourne and Down Councillors, Jill Truesdale and Tierna Howie have now called for an independent investigation by the Northern Ireland Audit Office into the money spent so far in progressing the project.
Cllr Truesdale said: 'Alliance has consistently expressed concerns about the viability of the Gondola project, particularly regarding financial expenditures and environmental impact. I have spoken at length before about the glaring lack of transparency and seeming disregard for how best to utilise ratepayers' money in the case of this project, especially when a great number of local residents expressed deep concerns and frustrations against it.
'Openness, transparency, and ensuring value for money should be at the heart of decision making at every level of government, and as a party, we are gravely concerned as to how much money has been spent to date on a project that didn't have the basic requirement of a lease in place to secure the site.
'I have written to the audit office to request an independent investigation into how much money has been spent to date.'
Cllr Howie added: 'It is essential that any such investigation is carried out by the NIAO to allow for an impartial overview. This project has been very contentious and unwanted by a huge majority of people, both residents and visitors to Newcastle and those who love the natural beauty of the Mournes.
'Alliance has been the only party to raise concerns consistently about the severe risk of progressing and spending money without a lease agreement. We therefore feel it is only right to look across all the details and for the public to know exactly what money has been spent and how this was allowed to continue.
'In the meantime, my Alliance colleagues and I will continue to explore viable and sustainable alternative proposals for the Mourne Mountain Gateway project and work to ensure that the £30million Belfast Region City Deal money remains in Newry, Mourne and Down.'
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