84% leave East Meath each day to go to work

A STUNNING 84% of workers in the East Meath area leave the district to work each day.

The fact was revealed in an East Meath local area plan debate where it was revealed that 33 hectacres close to Laytown train station had been earmarked for local employment needs.

The aim is to provide ‘ local employment and local living’ and under the plan is is envisaged to create 7,500 jobs locally.

It was stated that 34% of workers leave the likes of Navan. As a result of the local plan, the 23 spaces in Laytown station would need to be extended in a bid to tackle the ‘chaotic’ situation in the car park near the bridge.

It is proposed to extend the park and ride to connect with places such as Inse Bay.

Cllr Sharon Tolan said that people were now parking all day at the local playground while Cllr Eimear Ferguson said local businesses were suffering as shoppers had nowhere to park.

Cllr Paddy Meade felt one of the best ways to tackle the employment issue was to build offices and have them ready for businesses to move into.

The lack of tenants in the Drogheda Business Park - just one - puzzled Cllr Sharon Keogan, while she also urged action in areas like Gormanston, Stamullen and Julianstown.

Securing employment in the Drogheda environs was another necessity, Cllr Tom Kelly added.

‘Iarnrod Eireann charging people to park in Gormanston means people are parking on the roads instead. Charging defeats the purpose,’ he argued.

He said any employment boost must also come with more accommodation, remarking that people working in Nature’s Best in Drogheda were finding it hard to get a place to stay and they were renting 10 houses in Drogheda. ‘It’s critical,’ he remarked.

The council said that a plan was being organised to help the development of the Drogheda Business Park.