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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a construction site in London (Photo from June 2020)
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TOBY MELVILLE / REUTERS
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning a connection between Scotland and Northern Ireland - be it a tunnel or a gigantic bridge.
But the estimated costs for the project, which has now been put on hold, are far higher than previously known.
This emerges from a feasibility study that has now been published.
"At this point in time, the benefits cannot be greater than the costs for the public purse," says the study.
The experts recommended not pursuing the mega project any further.
According to this, a tunnel between the two parts of the United Kingdom under the Irish Sea would cost up to 209 billion pounds (about 247 billion euros).
A bridge is even estimated at up to 335 billion pounds (396 billion euros).
So far, there has been talk of a cost of around £ 20 billion.
30 years of construction
However, the study concluded that both bridges and tunnels are technically feasible.
It would also be "the longest" bridge that has been built so far.
Accordingly, it would have drawn over 30 kilometers with seven huge main pillars.
According to the information, the estimated time to completion could take almost 30 years.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the BBC after the report was presented that the project had been canceled: "The tunnel or fixed link will not be realized."
Preference for extravagant large-scale projects
Boris Johnson is known for his love of extravagant large-scale projects.
As London Mayor, for example, he wanted to build a new bridge over the Thames.
The project ultimately failed due to the high costs of around 63 million euros.
The government in London recently had to put a promised high-speed rail link to Leeds on hold for cost reasons.
In this case, it was probably also about promoting the unity of the kingdom with a prestigious major project: The Scottish National Party, which is striving for independence, is still the strongest political force in this part of the country and in Northern Ireland the special Brexit status ensures the supporters the union with Great Britain for fears of alienation from the rest of the country.
mrc / dpa / AFP