Consultants behind a massive cross-border bridge project, linking Counties Down and Louth, have welcomed the 'vital' feedback received from the public.

Plans for the bridge, which will span the Carlingford Lough, have gone on public display for the first time.

Warrenpoint Town Hall has played host to the preferred designs, as the second round of public consultation kicks-off in Louth.

Views on the project have so far came from both side of the border.

The first phase of consultation took place in May.

The public provided feedback on the route and style of the bridge, which will join Warrenpoint and Omeath.

Engineers Roughan & O'Donovan described the information generated as vital to the design process.

Three bridge styles have now been produced, with consideration given to financial, environmental, landscape and heritage issues.

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The eventual route will more specifically link-up the town lands of Cornamucklagh near Omeath with Narrow Water and Dromore near Warrenpoint.

It will connect the R173 Omeath to Newry Road in Co Louth with the A2 Newry to Warrenpoint Road in Co Down, improving access to the scenic Carlingford Lough.

Louth County Council Chairman, Councillor Declan Breathnach, welcomed the next step in the project.

"This is not only a much needed addition to our road network, which will benefit tourism and trade in the locality, it will also become an icon of peace in our times.

"While we are aware that some concerns exist around the route of Narrow Water Bridge, the previous public consultation phase left us in no doubt that the public are overwhelmingly behind this project.

"In these troubled economic times, this project will serve as a reminder to the world that Ireland is progressive and capable of overcoming challenges by working in unison," added Mr Breathnach.

When a decision is reached on the Narrow Water Bridge's design, both local authorities will lodge planning applications, as well as the associated Environmental Impact Statement in the Republic and Environmental Statement in Northern Ireland.

Louth County Council has revealed it is already engaging with the Northern Ireland Planning Service in the Pre-Application Discussions process.

"Preliminary topographical and hydrographical surveys have already been completed along with a number of earlier studies which addressed issues around feasibility, cost-benefit and estimated construction costs.

"The bridge is included in the North-South elements of the Irish Government's National Development Plan 2007-2013," a spokesperson said.

(PR/JM)