Traffic plan to close Laurence’s Gate is revealed
LOUTH County Council has revealed their traffic management plan to facilitate the permanent closure of St Laurence’s Gate.
The plan will see a reversal of the current one way system on Oulster Lane, Sandyford Terrace and Jim Garry Way and the introduction of two way traffic on Francis Street from its junction with Scarlet STreet southwards to its junction with Jim Garry Way.
However, a one way traffic system will be in place on Francis Street from the Cord Road northwards to its junction with Jim Garry Way.
This new route will essentially provide a ‘ bypass’ for traffic that would usually travel under the gate and over William Street.
The new plan will be on public display from Wednesday, November 16th in the Civic Offices on Fair Street and can be viewed until January 20th 2017.
The public can also make their own submissions.
LOUTH County Council has revealed their traffic management plan to facilitate the permanent closure of St Laurence’s Gate.
The plan will see a reversal of the current one way system on Oulster Lane, Sandyford Terrace and Jim Garry Way and the introduction of two way traffic on Francis Street from its junction with Scarlet STreet southwards to its junction with Jim Garry Way.
However, a one way traffic system will be in place on Francis Street from the Cord Road northwards to its junction with Jim Garry Way.
This new route will essentially provide a ‘ bypass’ for traffic that would usually travel under the gate and over William Street.
It will now be directed up Francis Street and across Jim Garry Way instead.
The new plan will be on public display from Wednesday, November 16th in the Civic Offices on Fair Street and in the Town Hall in Dundalk and will remain available for public viewing until Friday, January 20th 2017.
The public are being invited to make their views on the plan known and written submissions received on or before January 20th will be taken into consideration as part of the process.
A campaign to ‘Close the Gate’ was launched at the beginning of the summer and quickly gathered momentum with thousands signing an online petition to see the historic structure closed to vehicular traffic once and for all. They would also like to see the gate opened up as an amenity for tourism.
The campaign had huge public and political support and the issue has long been one of contention in the local area, particularly after a number of trucks struck the ancient structure while trying to pass through it in recent years.
The most recent incident happened in May when a HGV became stuck while trying to travel through the gate. The OPW also met with Louth County Council to discuss what steps could be taken to protect it.
St Laurence’s Gate is a barbican structure which was built in the 13th century and forms part of the original town wall of Drogheda. The gate is wides regarded as one of the finest of its kind and is designated as a national monument but despite this it has remained open to traffic for decades despite repeated calls to close the area to vehicles in order to protect this historic structure. However, the latest step is seen as a promising move towards finally closing the gate and redirecting traffic across an alternative route made possible by the opening of Fr Jim Garry Way, linking Francis Street and Palace Street. Anyone who would like to make their thoughts on the new plan known can do so in writing to Eugene McMaus, Administrative Officer, Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, County Louth.