Love Drogheda BID group demand Local Area Plan for region

THE LoveDrogheda BID organisers believe that the lack of infrastructure improvements and timely and proper planning for growth is a fundamental reason why Drogheda now has a serious crime and drugs issue.

‘On behalf of Drogheda’s rate payers, we want to see that situation corrected urgently for the benefit of all in the Drogheda urban area.

‘In 2015, a local town boundary review was undertaken – and the results came and went. Despite very clear recommendations issued by the Boundary Committee and the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, all recommending that a local area plan be completed by February 2019, this simply did not happen.

‘Continuous delay, obfuscation, dysfunctional planning and little cooperation between Meath and Louth Local Authorities, Eastern Midlands Regional Assembly and Central Government have all marked the urban landscape here in Drogheda. Time is wasted, promises are made and little has been accomplished. Drogheda is literally burning (and shooting) while the Government fiddles,’ they state.

‘We need to see an urgent commitment of central government to an urban regeneration/joint local area plan, fully funded and timely executed by central government. This needs to be placed on the fast track with a meaningful investment of €80 million plus.

“Other than an additional 25 Gardaí, nothing has changed,” said Geoff Fitzpatrick, Love Drogheda BID chairman. “We need a plan, we need it now and we need the investment to go with it. One thing is for sure -- either we fix this town and provide a brighter future for all, or we don’t and matters go from the bad times of today to a hopeless future for all.”

Valerie Sherlock of the LoveDrogheda BID board commented that “In 2007, following extreme violence and gang wars similar to Drogheda, Limerick developed a regeneration plan together with central government and saw an investment of €253M. It brought effective solutions, renewed pride and confidence in the community and boosted the local economy, beyond recognition.”

Sarah Taafe of the LoveDrogheda board added, ‘Let’s come together with those who stand with Drogheda and make it happen.”