Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster has once again raised the traffic chaos caused by the Obelisk Bridge works with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar due to complete inaction on the issue from Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan.
Deputy Munster said “The Minister for Transport and the department are responsible for implementing an integrated transport policy.
“But every response from the Minister is, TII are responsible for this, and Louth County Council are responsible for that, the toll operator is responsible for another thing and every response from him is basically a repackaging of all the previous responses from his department.
“Even after I recently raised the issue with the Taoiseach who said he’d speak to the Minister, all I received was a rehash of previous emails telling me he’s not going to do anything about the traffic chaos plaguing Drogheda because of the Obelisk Bridge closure.
“Traffic congestion is at record levels, the rush hour congestion now lasts all day, a formerly ten-minute trip now lasts an hour and emission levels are going through the roof as cars are running for far longer while trying to get down the gridlocked streets. You would think a Green Party Minister would want to try something to reduce emissions at least.
“It was forewarned that this would happen. Solutions were offered by myself and others with knowledge of the area. The Minister did nothing.
“The Taoiseach committed to looking at the issue, and I’m waiting to see what comes of that.
“I will continue to follow up on this until a workable solution is implemented and the gridlock on the streets of Drogheda is eased.
