The ‘city’ of Drogheda relegated to the second division is just not good enough
Dear Sir,
IT is disgraceful that Drogheda is being relegated into the Second Division of planning and support going forward, as outlined in the National Planning Framework.
A town the size of Drogheda – the largest town in the country with a population of 45,000 and a another 6,000 living in the town but geographically located in County Meath, and a further 15,000 population increase planned over the next 10 years, is being deemed the same as any other town in Ireland with a population of over 10,000, eg Wicklow.
This is not good enough! I have been leading a ‘City Status for Drogheda’ campaign for over 30 years now, and it galls me to see us not only being ignored, but being downgraded in this latest national plan which will become law for the coming 10 years.
Drogheda is unique – a medieval city located on the ‘Golden Corridor’ between Dublin and Belfast, a route that is mentioned in the Plan, but leaves out any mention of Drogheda – the key to developing this strategic area with unparalled access to road, sea, air and rail links both within and outside our country.
Drogheda is a town that has already reached city proportions, with future unrivalled growth ahead – we need to see this reflected in all planning strategies and not be once again left out of the government’s plans.