Take to streets to tackle dereliction!
Drogheda councillors, traders and engineers are being urged to take to the streets of Drogheda to get a close up view of the conditions of derelict buildings and abandoned properties in the town.
In a Notice of Motion at the January meeting of Drogheda Municipal District, Councillor Frank Godfrey also asked that those involved meet with concerned traders and local residents.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Godfrey said the buildings on Narrow West Street have been lying derelict for over a decade and added the area around Trinity Street and the Bridge of Peace is in an ‘absolutely shameful condition’.
Councillor Tommy Bryne said he accepted the council is doing everything it can under the circumstances but steps need to be taken to incentivise the redevelopment of key buildings.
He said Donaghy’s Mill is currently in the possession of the banks as the owner went bust and the property is ‘probably in NAMA’.
‘We should have ownership of that,’ he said.
He said incentives for builders would help kick start the redevelopment of areas of the town that have become run down. ‘Give builders an incentive and you’d have them in there tomorrow to start work,’ he said.
Agreeing, Councillor Godfrey said: ‘It’s not a cosmetic or a piecemeal job we want in Narrow West Street. It’s not safe at the moment and it needs to be completely redeveloped.
‘We need more information, there seems to be no sense of urgency on the operations of the Fleadh Cheoil.’
He said a lick of paint was no good and what is needed is a complete overhaul of the area.
Director of Services with Louth County Council Paddy Donnelly said there are a number of initiatives in the pipeline to ensure Drogheda is presented at its best for the Fleadh.
He said in some instances this may be just painting a building and pointed out it would be impossible to completely redevelop an entire street before next summer.