RTE’s focus on Drogheda highlights the extent of economic neglect

DROGHEDA City Status Group says Government needs to urgently assemble a task force to plan for the emerging city and address the economic neglect.

They also urge locals to set out their vision of the Greater Drogheda area in submissions to the Joint Local Area Plan consultation before the closing date.

Following the recent official opening of Phase 1 of the Port Access Northern Cross Route, there has been considerable interest on the part of RTE regarding the neglect of Drogheda. On television, RTE’s “Primetime” programme and the Claire Byrne Show on Radio 1 both visited Drogheda in recent days – in part, triggered by the repurposing of the d Hotel.

“With Phase 1 of the PANCR/ Northern Cross getting underway, it is good that there are new houses coming on stream and some infrastructure, but while the housing developments are flying up, there is still no serious commitment on the part of the IDA and other State agencies to secure foreign direct investment for local job creation, as well as a much needed university campus to serve the North East alongside DIFE,” said Drogheda City Status Group chairperson Anna McKenna, adding “what has been delivered is just Phase 1 of the PANCR/Northern Cross route and without the remaining phases urgently being funded and delivered, Drogheda will still suffer from the traffic congestion and pollution caused by HGV traffic forced to drive through central Drogheda en route to and from the Port. This route has been planned for years. It’s just not good enough that Drogheda must continue to wait even longer for this much needed solution to traffic congestion; housing needs and the provision of much needed local employment.”

Anna was also critical at the manner in which the d Hotel was repurposed by Government just as initiatives were beginning to bear fruit in attracting more visitors to Drogheda. “Failte Ireland has designated Drogheda as a ‘Destination Town.’

“Just as local hospitality businesses were anticipating a much needed post COVID boost, we now find Drogheda is severely constrained and unable to provide adequate accommodation for visitors as a new tourist season gets underway,” she added.

“Drogheda people have always displayed sympathy and compassion for those less fortunate, but dramatically reducing tourist accommodation should be the last option to be considered in order to protect much needed local jobs.”

Anna is concerned that the deadline for receipt of submissions to the Drogheda JLAP (Joint Local Area Plan) being drawn up jointly by Louth Co. Council and Meath Co. Council is fast approaching and is urging all individuals and well as community and business organisations and others to engage with this process and set out their needs in, and vision of the emerging, future city of Drogheda.

“Whilst the geographic area which the JLAP covers on the Meath side of Drogheda is far too limiting, this should not detract people from making a submission. Guidance notes and full details are available from both Councils and on their respective websites.

The group urges all individuals, businesses and groups in Drogheda and East Meath to submit their key requirements before the extended deadline of this Wednesday, March 27. There is no charge for making a submission, but DCSG urge all intending to make a submission to check full details of the process on either Council’s website.