A tunnel providing a rail link between Dumfries and Galloway and Northern Ireland was discussed as early as the 1960s. Newly-released papers show politicians felt the idea would boost tourism and transport links – but it also drew scorn from some Northern Irish Government officials in Stormont.
During his time as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson instructed officials to look into the possibility of a transport link across the Irish Sea – an idea which had the backing of Dumfries and Galloway MP and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack.
However, it was estimated it could cost more than £40 billion. Papers released by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) show that the idea wasn’t new.
In 1961, Moira Rural District Council sent a letter of support for the ideal of a tunnel between Portpatrick and Northern Ireland to the Ministry of Commerce.
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