24 June 2026

Speaking following the announcement that the Shared Island Fund will contribute €800,000 to the next development phase of the docklands bridge projects in Belfast & Cork, SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte said:

“I welcome the announcement of €800,000 in funding for the Cork–Belfast Docklands Bridges Project Delivery Partnership. This investment will allow the proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Sailortown and the Odyssey area to progress to the next stage of design and is an important milestone for a project that has the potential to transform connectivity across our waterfront.

“This bridge will strengthen links between Sailortown, Titanic Quarter and the city centre, opening up a new way for pedestrians and cyclists to travel between North Belfast and East Belfast. These plans will also offer a boost for businesses in the area and make our city a better place to work, visit and live. It is exactly the kind of ambitious infrastructure project that can help create a more connected Belfast.

 “It is vital the Department for Infrastructure must now ensure the money will be available to deliver the project through to completion. Belfast cannot afford for this to become another Casement Park situation, where years of planning and expectation are undermined by uncertainty over funding. We need to see continued commitment to turn this exciting vision into reality.”