SDLP Newry councillor Killian Feehan is set to bring a motion to council on Monday evening, calling for the regeneration of Newry Canal to harness its significant untapped potential.

Councillor Feehan's proposal includes writing to councils across Ireland and Britain with experience in waterway development, as well as engaging with UK, Irish, and European funding bodies to explore opportunities for financial support. He believes that learning from successful initiatives in other regions could pave the way for transforming Newry Canal into a vibrant community asset.

Councillor Feehan stated: "Our failure to regenerate and invest in Newry Canal is denying us the opportunity to make the most of one of our most obvious natural resources. We have seen towns and cities across Ireland and Britain make the most of their waterways, establishing areas of natural beauty and facilities around water-based activities that can be enjoyed by tourists and local residents alike.

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"There is no reason that Newry cannot learn from what has been achieved in other places and that’s why I'm proposing that we write to the likes of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Birmingham City Council and Waterways Ireland so that we can share best practice and look at developing similar initiatives here. We must also explore the funding opportunities to support this development by engaging with the Shared Ireland Unit and EU and UK funding streams.

"Key to this development will be ensuring that no bridge is built across Newry Canal. The SDLP has been steadfast in our opposition to this proposal and it would severely limit our potential to develop maritime tourism.

"There is an opportunity here to put forward an exciting vision for the future of our Newry Canal and I would urge every councillor to roll in behind our proposals so that we can deliver on the huge promise that exists to create jobs, attract tourism, enhance biodiversity and improve quality of life for local residents."