Passions burning at gate meeting
PROPOSAL TO CLOSE GATE FOR TEMPORARY PERIOD TO ASSESS IMPACT
A SOMETIMES heated public meeting on the closure of Laurence’s Gate was brought to a quick end on Monday night after a war of words erupted over the issue.
Although the event didn’t attract a huge crowd, those that turned up certainly made their feelings known, with some feeling that the gate should be kept open, while others felt it should be closed and turned into a real tourism gem.
THOSE who attended Monday’s open meeting on the proposed closure of Laurence’s Gate were left in no doubt about the passion the debate is stirring in the hearts of those involved.
Although only about 30 people turned up at the Barbican - the event had to be curtailed after an hour after a number of feisty exchanges threatened to boil over at one stage!
With hecklers, raised voices, a complete condemnation of the council’s ‘abandonment’ of the town and frustration with the town’s traffic system, arguements broke out about the best way forward, leading chairman Cllr Frank Godfrey to bring a hasty end to proceedings.
Council officials were invited to attend - but they can clearly sniff a landmine a mile off - and declined the offer, probably just as well. But overall, the comments made were valid and well merited. Perhaps the best one was raised by John Kierans who proposed a temporary closure order on the gate to see what the impact would be and if a full closure was practical.
‘ They did it with Harty’s Cottage, closing Crushrod Avenue and they did a great job on it’, he stated. Niall Kierans agreed. ‘I think we should see what happens with a three month closure. We shouldn’t go blindly with the first plan. There could be other adverse issues as a result. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen in terms of traffic if it’s closed.’ Residents from nearby Francis Street said going two-way on the street again wasn’t an option. Some reported that vibrations from passing trucks cause items to shake in cupboards and that would become worse.
Those living in Sienna said it was almost impossible to exit the estate due to the speed on Francis St.
For Brookville man Johnny Kierans, the problems with the town were varied, not helped by ‘ some eejit spending €14m on making West Street one way’.
He says the dual carriageway blocked off the route over Dominick’s Bridge to Rathmullen and was badly planned.
He feels the Northern Cross route is the answer and at the moment the gate should be accessible both ways to assist traffic flow.
A number of people felt that the issue with trucks could be helped by a barrier at the bottom of Constitution Hill, preventing them getting anywhere near the gate. Tom Burke called for more signs on the likes of the Greenhills Road and North Strand warning about the gate.
Brian Hanratty said the gate was Drogheda’s ‘ Learning Tower of Pisa’ and was prime for tourism.
Members of the Close The Gate group also attended and outlined their fight, feeling it should be protected for the future. Audrey Smith stated that in 2012, some 1.1m vehicles were using the gate and what pollution that was causing. Ann McVeigh said it was ‘ time to be brave’ and urged everyone to have their say before the January 20 deadline.
The issue of speed and parking on the Chord Road was another hot topic, as well as the volume of traffic using William Street.
The plan can be seen at the council office on Fair Street.