THE leading architect who first proposed building a Celtic Crossing bridge has hit out at a new plan for a tunnel between Britain and Ireland – which would miss out Scotland.

Professor Alan Dunlop first set out his ideas in The National two years ago for a bridge linking the west of Scotland and the east coast of Northern Ireland.

These were later seized on by Boris Johnson and have won support from Irish premier Leo Varadkar and Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster.

But at the weekend a proposal presented as a plan to “strengthen the Union” emerged for a high-speed rail tunnel further to the south with an option linking Holyhead, on Anglesey in Wales, to Dublin, about 50 miles away.

The Sunday Times reported a fall in costs means tunnels can be drilled faster, making a link feasible, according to a report published by the Institution of Civil Engineers.

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Dunlop said: “The bridge proposal was originally titled the Celtic Crossing, sparked by the idea of a Celtic Powerhouse in Scotland and Ireland.

“The notion was to address the continuing centralisation of infrastructure in London and the south of England and to balance the Northern Powerhouse initiative being promoted by the Westminster government at that time, which focused on Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.

“Inspired by the Oresund Bridge which links Sweden and Denmark – two countries that have a shared Nordic cultural heritage and population size similar to Scotland and Ireland – I believe that a similar bridge linking the UK to Ireland through Scotland would demonstrate confidence and ambition in our shared futures. Now, the Institute of Civil Engineers have proposed a tunnel linking England to Ireland, bypassing Scotland entirely.

“This is an interesting proposition and the quoted cost would be much the same as a bridge but the tunnel would be much longer.

“I contend that it would not bring economic benefit to Scotland and, in my view, would be much less inspiring. I would again urge Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to settle her differences with Boris Johnson and Westminster and co-operate on a Celtic Crossing.”

READ MORE: Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge could bring great benefits

Meanwhile, transport officials have been asked to look at various options for a bridge linking Scotland to Northern Ireland, it has been confirmed in the Lords.

The issue was raised at Lords question time yesterday by Labour’s George Foulkes as peers pressed Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton over repairs to London’s Hammersmith Bridge.

Foulkes said: “During the General Election, Boris Johnson pledged to consider building a bridge from Northern Ireland to Scotland even though there are hundreds of tons of explosives in Beaufort’s Dyke, which were put there supposedly because it’s a safe place for them.

“If the Government can’t keep Hammersmith Bridge open how on Earth is it going to manage to do that?”

Vere replied: “You’re quite right. We have asked officials to look at various options for bridges which would strengthen our Union.

“I understand there is some talk of a potential tunnel, now that tunnelling costs are much cheaper than they used to be. I will say watch this space but perhaps don’t hold your breath.”

Britain’s longest tunnel, the 31-mile Channel Tunnel, took six years to dig and opened in 1994.