NewPortroute ‘merits funding’
THE Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Simon Coveney has said the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in Drogheda ‘merited funding’ despite not being included in the recent project approvals.
Responding to a Dáil question from local TD Fergus O’Dowd who asked the status of the proposed route and if the plans have been amended due to the closure of Laurence’s Gate, the Minister said that while the PANCR was one of a number of proposals that merited funding, it was not possible to include the project in the March 2017 approvals within the level of funding available.
‘Qualifying proposals such as this one may be re-considered for Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) funding in the event that an approved proposal does not proceed or that additional LIHAF funding becomes available,’ he said.
He said it was his understanding that the plans for the PANCR are not affected by the council’s recent decision to close St Laurence’s Gate to vehicular traffic. ‘ The Council has advised that the PANCR remains a priority project and a number of housing projects which are ready to progress in that area require the upgrading of the road infrastructure. The Council is currently examining options open to it to deliver the required infrastructure on a phased basis,’ the Minister added.