An official feasibility study into the possibility of building a bridge or tunnel between Northern Ireland and Scotland has been set up by UK PM Boris Johnson.
The report, by Network Rail boss Sir Peter Hendy, has tasked two experts to lead a “discrete piece of work” to assess the feasibility of a bridge or tunnel between Northern Ireland and the British mainland.
Saying devolution had led to a “lack of attention to connectivity”, Sir Peter said the aim of the review was to “level up” the whole of the UK.
Looking into wider aspects of connectivity throughout the UK, a consultation is also to be launched this spring looking into reforming air passenger duty – a tax on passenger flights from UK airports – in a bid to improve transport connecting all four nations.
The tax currently stands at a minimum £13 per passenger departing from a UK airport, and similar – but lower – levies only exist in a few other European countries.
The rate of APD was increased in last week’s budget by £2 for economy long-haul flights to £84 per person, but frozen for all short-haul flights (including domestic).
The aviation industry has been increasingly outspoken about the lack of government support during the pandemic.
The duty has been seen as particularly unfair on domestic flying, as it means an internal return flight pays double the tax of the furthest European return.
In a statement released by the Department for Transport (DfT), the prime minister, Boris Johnson, said: “I want to cut passenger duty on domestic flights so we can support connectivity across the country.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the plans were part of his desire to “build back better” after the coronavirus crisis. He also added that he wanted to bring “every corner of the UK closer together”.
“We will harness the incredible power of infrastructure to level up parts of our country that have too long been left off the transport map,” said Mr Johnson.
“This pioneering review by Sir Peter Hendy gives us the tools we need to deliver on our ambitions for a UK-wide transport network that encompasses sea, rail, and road.
“I also want to cut passenger duty on domestic flights so we can support connectivity across the country.”
