DIY STREET!
Residents start repairing their own potholes
THE campaign to save centuries old Ship Street saw residents take to the streets last weekend - but they weren’t marching - they were fixing giant potholes.
Some of the holes on the street stretched to 10ft in width and residents, neighbours and friends gathered with shovels, wheelbarrows and cement to carry out repairs.
The holes had become very dangerous and despite appeals to the council, they remained untouched for years.
Resident Roma Rozenek feels they had little option but to start their DIY efforts on the street.
‘I contacted the council but nobody got back to me. Our fear was that someone could trip and fall, such were the size of the potholes.’
THE campaign to save centuries old Ship Street saw residents take to the streets last weekend - but they weren’t marching - they were fixing giant potholes.
Some of the holes on the street stretched to 10ft in width and residents, neighbours and friends gathered with shovels, wheelbarrows and cement to carry out repairs.
The holes had become very dangerous and despite appeals to the council, they remained untouched for years.
Resident Roma Rozenek feels they had little option but to start their DIY efforts on the street.
Measuring 58ft from door to door, the street is one of the widest in the town and Roma had lost count of the number of potholes in it.
‘I contacted the council but nobody got back to me. We have pay parking in the street, but it has huge potholes and no designated spaces. Our fear was that someone could trip and fall, such were the size of the potholes.’
The fact that the council is getting revenue from the street for parking - before it was suspended - means they must be responsible for its upkeep, Roma feels.
They have also been in contact asking the council to take over the abandoned houses and make them homes again.
‘ The big issue is the threat of flooding but the non return valve is not working. If it was, that would help. It just needs an engineer from the council to come and see it. We would meet them at any stage.
‘We know there’s always issues with money, but we simply want the council to come and talk.
‘Fixing the potholes is just the start. We really want to bring life back into the place and we will do that’, a determined Roma added.
The potential for a major rejuvenation project is huge on the street. ‘ This could be a huge cultural opportunity for the council and we just hope that they take it.’
Cllr Frank Godfrey has been assisting the residents for some years and says the next project is a street sign and a bench at the bottom of the street.
They are also hosting a street party in June.
He said the Defenders of Drogheda’s Heritage group attended Saturday’s pothole filling day as part of their promotion of the town.