7th January 2025 – Optimists v Pessimists, by age groups.

Glass half full

Below is outlined the age and gender-specific benefits of a permanent Strangford Lough crossing, cross-referenced with demographic and statistical data:

Children (0-15 years) – 18% of Ards & North Down population
[Source: “Local Assessment of Need 2023” and “Ards & North Down Council Area Profile”]

Males:

  • Improved access to sports facilities and GAA Centre of Excellence in Ballykinlar
  • Reduced journey times to schools (currently 1.5 hours by road vs 8 minutes by ferry)
  • More reliable attendance at after-school activities (currently impacted by ferry disruptions)

Females:

  • Enhanced access to dance, gymnastics and other activities across the wider region
  • Safer travel options (currently walking between villages with no footpaths after dark)
  • Greater participation in cross-community activities

Young People (16-39 years) – 25% of population
[Source: “Ards & North Down Census Data 2021 v 2011”]

Males:

  • Improved access to employment (currently 24.3% go directly to employment after GCSEs in Newtownards)
  • Better access to further education and training opportunities
  • Enhanced nightlife options with reliable 24/7 transport links

Females:

  • Safer late night travel options (currently restricted by last ferry at 22:30)
  • Increased job opportunities across wider geographic area
  • Better access to maternal healthcare services

Working Age Adults (40-64 years) – 34% of population

Males:

  • More efficient business travel and logistics
  • Wider employment catchment area
  • Reduced transport costs compared to ferry fares

Females:

  • Improved work-life balance with reduced commuting times
  • Better access to caring responsibilities across the lough
  • Enhanced access to retail and services

Older Adults (65+ years) – 23% of population
[Source: “Ards & North Down Census Data 2021 v 2011”]

Males:

  • Reliable 24/7 access to emergency healthcare
  • Maintained independence through easier travel
  • Better access to leisure activities and social connections

Females:

  • Improved access to healthcare appointments
  • Enhanced ability to support family members across the lough
  • Greater participation in community activities

Economic Benefits Across All Ages:
[Source: “DFI 2024-0366 – Barry – Response.pdf”]

  • Current ferry service costs £3.52m annually with only £1.43m income (41% cost recovery)
  • A bridge would provide economic benefits through:
  • Increased tourism potential
  • Enhanced business connectivity
  • Property value appreciation
  • Job creation during construction and maintenance

Social Benefits:
[Source: “Strangford Lough Crossing Comments Summary.md”]

  • Improved community cohesion
  • Enhanced access to education and healthcare
  • Better emergency service response times
  • Increased social and cultural opportunities
  • Greater resilience in extreme weather

The bridge would particularly benefit the 7,014 young people (17.60%) who live in rural communities in Ards and North Down, providing them with reliable access to services and opportunities currently limited by ferry dependence.

[Source: “SLC Final Survey Results & Summarised Comments.pdf”]
Survey results show strong community support across all age groups for a permanent crossing, with 94% of respondents indicating the current ferry service is not fit for purpose.

Glass half empty

Below is outlined potential challenges and concerns for each demographic group regarding a Strangford Lough crossing:

Children (0-15 years) – 18% of population
[Source: “Local Assessment of Need 2023”]

Males:

  • Environmental education impact – loss of unique ferry experience which currently provides educational value about marine transport and environment
  • Potential loss of “ferry friendships” formed during regular crossings with other school children
  • Construction period disruption to established school travel routines

Females:

  • Safety concerns with higher speed traffic compared to current controlled ferry environment
  • Loss of supervised crossing environment where children are monitored by ferry staff
  • Disruption to established social patterns between communities

Young People (16-39 years) – 25% of population
[Source: “Ards & North Down Census Data 2021 v 2011”]

Males:

  • Loss of ferry service jobs particularly impacting younger males (current ferry provides local employment)
  • Potential increase in risk-taking behaviors with 24/7 access
  • Loss of community gathering point for social interaction

Females:

  • Increased traffic through residential areas
  • Personal safety concerns on bridge during off-peak hours
  • Loss of enforced community interaction time that ferry crossings provide

Working Age Adults (40-64 years) – 34% of population

Males:

  • Cost implications of potential toll charges vs current ferry prices
  • Construction period impact on business operations
  • Environmental concerns about marine habitat disruption

Females:

  • Changes to established childcare arrangements built around ferry timetables
  • Potential property value impacts near bridge approaches
  • Loss of community interaction point where local information is shared

Older Adults (65+ years) – 23% of population

Males:

  • Loss of social interaction opportunity that ferry crossing provides
  • Anxiety about bridge crossing in adverse weather
  • Impact on traditional way of life and community character

Females:

  • Loss of assisted transport support currently provided by ferry staff
  • Change to established community patterns
  • Potential isolation if less confident about bridge driving

Environmental Concerns Across Ages:
[Source: “Strangford Lough Crossing Comments Summary.md”]

  • Impact on designated Special Area of Conservation
  • Visual impact on landscape
  • Marine ecosystem disruption
  • Construction period environmental damage

Economic Challenges:
[Source: “DOF 2024-0440 – ANNEX C – FOR ISSUE – REDACTED Strangford Ferry Service Strategic Review March 2013.PDF”]

  • High initial capital cost (“in excess of £300m”)
  • Potential impact on local tourism character
  • Loss of ferry service jobs
  • Maintenance costs
  • Impact on local businesses dependent on ferry traffic

Community Impact:
[Source: “SLC Comments Summary 458 6th Nov 24.pdf”]

  • Loss of traditional crossing method with cultural significance
  • Change to community interaction patterns
  • Impact on local identity
  • Reduced “forced” community interaction time
  • Loss of ferry as community information hub

Infrastructure Concerns:
[Source: “Local-Assessment-of-Need-2023-Ards-North-Down.pdf”]

  • Increased traffic through residential areas
  • Need for new road infrastructure
  • Construction period disruption
  • Impact on existing road networks
  • Changes to established traffic patterns

The primary environmental designation challenge is noted in ministerial correspondence:
[Source: “COR-1578-2024 – FR_.pdf”]
“Such a project would require very significant capital investment in a very sensitive environment as Strangford Lough is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and an Area of Special Scientific Interest.”

Local statistical data shows significant community attachment to the existing ferry service, with 41.9% of residents in the Portaferry area using the service [Source: “Strangford Ferry Customer Survey 2009 Report” referenced in DOF 2024-0440].