Below a detailed analysis of economic development points related to the Strangford ferry crossing and Ards Peninsula area, with specific references:
Key Economic Development Challenges:
- Employment and Economic Activity
- Employment rate in Ards and North Down is 73% compared to NI average of 74% (DOF 2024-0440)
- Higher rates of economic inactivity than NI average, particularly among females (29.5% vs 20.8% for males)
- Area was the only council district in NI to see a reduction in employee jobs between 2018-2019 (E_261_LMP_Action_plan.pdf)
- Lower weekly earnings for jobs located in the area compared to NI average
- Business Development
- Decline in number of VAT/PAYE registered businesses
- Low GVA (Gross Value Added) compared to other NI council areas
- Limited economic diversification, with heavy reliance on retail and service sectors
- Need for greater support for small businesses and entrepreneurs
- Infrastructure and Connectivity Issues
- Current ferry service limitations impact business growth:
- Operating hours restrict business activity (last sailing 22:30)
- Unreliability affects workforce mobility
- Capacity constraints during peak times
- Weather-dependent service disrupts business operations
- Alternative 75km road journey adds significant costs and time for businesses
- Tourism Development Potential
- Heritage assets including:
- 6 State Care Monuments
- 54 Scheduled Monuments
- 217 Listed Buildings
- Rich maritime heritage
- Limited tourism infrastructure and packaging of attractions
- Need for improved visitor facilities and experiences
- Opportunity to develop heritage tourism economy
- Skills and Training
- Lower proportion achieving 5+ GCSEs including English and Maths (70.1%) compared to NI average (77.77%)
- Skills mismatches identified in certain sectors
- Need for better alignment of skills development with economic opportunities
- Limited access to training and development opportunities, particularly in rural areas
- Regional Competitiveness
According to “Business-intelligence-sub-regional-intelligence-council-area-profile-ards-and-north-down 2016”:
- Lower GVA per head than most other NI council areas
- Below average levels of business start-ups
- Lower rates of innovation and R&D investment
- Need to improve competitiveness and productivity
Recommendations for Economic Development:
- Infrastructure Investment
- Consider fixed crossing options to provide 24/7 access
- Improve transport connectivity to support business growth
- Enhance digital infrastructure
- Business Support
- Targeted programmes for start-ups and growth businesses
- Support for innovation and productivity improvements
- Better access to finance and business development resources
- Skills Development
- Enhanced training and skills programmes aligned to business needs
- Better connections between education and employment
- Support for apprenticeships and work-based learning
- Tourism Development
- Investment in tourism infrastructure and facilities
- Development of heritage tourism experiences
- Improved marketing and promotion
- Better packaging of attractions and experiences
- Partnership Working
- Stronger collaboration between councils, agencies and businesses
- Cross-border initiatives with Republic of Ireland
- Regional approaches to economic development
The data suggests significant economic development challenges but also opportunities that could be unlocked through strategic investment in infrastructure, skills and business support. A fixed crossing could be transformative but would need to be part of a broader economic development strategy.
This response is based on analysis of multiple source documents including council plans, economic assessments and consultation responses.
Here are the key source documents used in the analysis:
- “Strangford Lough Ferry Service Strategic Review Report March 2013” (DOW 2024-0440 – ANNEX C)
- “DOF 2024-0440 FOI Response.PDF” – Department of Finance Freedom of Information response
- “Business-intelligence-sub-regional-intelligence-council-area-profile-ards-and-north-down 2016”
- “E_261_LMP_Action_plan.pdf” – Local Labour Market Partnership Action Plan 2021-23
- “Heritage Asset Audit – D73 Ards” (2019)
- “Local Assessment of Need 2023 – Ards and North Down”
- “Integrated Arts and Heritage Development Strategy 2018-2023”
- “The Big Plan for Ards and North Down 2017-2032” (referenced in other documents)
- “Blue:Green, Creatively Connected Tourism Strategy” (2018)
- “Ards and North Down Borough Council Corporate Plan 2024-2028”
- “UK National Infrastructure Commission Report” (October 2023)
These documents represent the primary sources for data and analysis in my previous response. Each provides specific insights into different aspects of economic development in the region.