Dear Minister Nesbitt. A permanent crossing of Strangford Lough has been talked about for many years. I’ll provide a brief but detailed analysis of how a permanent crossing over Strangford Lough could potentially help address issues raised in the Bengoa report, with reference to relevant data and documents.

The Bengoa report, officially titled “Systems, Not Structures – Changing Health and Social Care,” outlined a vision for transforming Northern Ireland’s health and social care system. A permanent crossing over Strangford Lough could support several key aims of this report:

1. 1. Improving Access to Services

The Bengoa report emphasizes the need for better access to health and social care services, especially for rural populations. A permanent crossing would significantly improve access between the Ards Peninsula and the rest of County Down, including Downpatrick where there is an underutilized new hospital.

Currently, the ferry service operates from 7:30 AM to 10:45 PM on weekdays, with reduced hours on weekends. This limits access to emergency and after-hours care for residents on the Portaferry side. A permanent crossing would provide 24/7 access, potentially saving lives in emergency situations.

2. 2. Addressing Staffing Challenges

The report highlights difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, especially in rural areas. A permanent crossing could:

• • Expand the pool of healthcare workers able to commute to facilities on both sides of the lough.
  • Make it easier for staff to cover shifts at multiple facilities, improving flexibility and potentially reducing reliance on agency staff.
  • Enhance the attractiveness of working in the area by improving connectivity.

1. 1. Supporting Aging Populations in Rural Areas

The Bengoa report notes the challenges of an aging population, particularly in rural areas. A permanent crossing could:

• • Improve access to specialized geriatric care services that may only be available in larger towns or cities.
  • Facilitate “aging in place” by making it easier for family members and care workers to reach older adults living on the peninsula.
  • Support be-friending initiatives by making it easier for volunteers to reach isolated older adults.

1. 1. Enhancing System Integration

The report calls for better integration of health and social care services. A permanent crossing could:

• • Facilitate the sharing of resources and staff between healthcare facilities on both sides of the lough.
  • Support the creation of integrated care partnerships by improving physical connectivity between different parts of the health system.

1. 1. Improving Efficiency

The Bengoa report emphasizes the need for more efficient use of resources. A permanent crossing could:

• • Reduce transportation costs for the health system by eliminating reliance on the ferry.
  • Allow for more efficient routing of ambulances and other healthcare transport.
  • Potentially allow for consolidation of some services while improving overall access.

1. 1. Supporting the Underutilized Downpatrick Hospital

The new hospital in Downpatrick is currently underutilized. A permanent crossing could:

• • Significantly expand the catchment area for the hospital, potentially increasing patient numbers and improving resource utilization.
  • Allow residents of the Ards Peninsula faster and more reliable access to the hospital’s services.

1. 1. Addressing “Geographical Inconveniences”

The Bengoa report recognizes that Northern Ireland’s geography can create challenges for healthcare delivery. The Strangford Lough ferry, while picturesque, represents a significant “geographical inconvenience” for healthcare delivery. A permanent crossing would effectively eliminate this barrier, allowing for more efficient and effective healthcare planning and delivery across the region.

Evidence from the Cleddau Bridge

The experience of the Cleddau Bridge in Wales provides compelling evidence for the potential impact of a permanent crossing at Strangford Lough:

• • Initial Traffic: The Cleddau Bridge saw 885,900 crossings in its first year (1975), compared to the current Strangford Ferry traffic of 237,250 annually.
  • Current Traffic: The Cleddau Bridge now handles 4,745,000 crossings annually (as of 2024), while the Strangford Ferry remains at 237,250.
  • Cumulative Impact: Over 49 years, the Cleddau Bridge has facilitated an estimated 137,957,050 crossings, compared to just 11,625,250 for the Strangford Ferry over the same period.
  • Growth Potential: The Cleddau Bridge now handles 20 times more daily traffic than the Strangford Ferry, suggesting significant suppressed demand and potential for growth with a permanent crossing.

It’s particularly noteworthy that the MV Portaferry ferry came from the Cleddau crossing in 1975, just as the bridge was being constructed there. This ironic detail underscores how Wales moved forward with a permanent solution while the Strangford crossing has remained largely unchanged for nearly 50 years.

Conclusion

A permanent crossing over Strangford Lough has the potential to significantly support the aims of the Bengoa report by improving access to healthcare, addressing staffing challenges, supporting aging rural populations, enhancing system integration, improving efficiency, and better utilizing existing resources like the Downpatrick hospital. The evidence from the Cleddau Bridge suggests that such a crossing could unlock substantial latent demand for cross-lough travel, potentially transforming the region’s economy and healthcare landscape. While a full feasibility study would be necessary to determine the exact costs and benefits, the potential alignment with the Bengoa report’s recommendations makes this an option worth serious consideration.

Thank you for your time in reading the above. Would appreciate a considered response and also welcome your support and highlighting of the issue in your various public forums to continue the conversation across all of the departments as cross cutting each.

Regards

Kevin Barry