By Andy Spearman
The Obelisk Bridge was supposed to have closed on August 1st but for some reason that was delayed by three weeks. Even in the week since it closed precious little work has been done.
I’ve been away for the past two weeks but I cycled up to Oldbridge this morning to check on progress and I found that apart from signage and barriers across the road, there was nothing happening and there was not one person on site, the place was deserted.
I’m no bridge builder, but if the work continues at this snail’s pace I can’t see them making the May 2024 finish date and that is bad news for many people who are facing great inconvenience and financial loss.
I missed the public meeting in the d Hotel on Monday last which was called by Frank Godfrey but by all accounts it was a lively evening.
One of the first to speak was the owner of a minibus who makes two return trips daily to Ardee for Louth Disability Services and now faces an additional weekly cost of €76 as they have to use the tolled section of the M1 motorway for a short distance.
Against the background of rising fuel and other costs for motorists, this is one additional financial burden the owner has not been able to budget for.
A local farmer who farms land on both sides of the river and was reliant on the bridge, said he must now drive agricultural machinery through central Drogheda as he cannot use the motorway, adding to the time, costs and risks involved.
A lady spoke about the cost of her daily work journey from Duleek to Monaghan. Now she has to use the M1 and pay tolls which she expects will cost her in the region of €1,000 annually from her after tax pay, adding to her already significant motoring costs.
Another man told the meeting that his son who lives near Dolly Mitchell’s pub on the Slane-Drogheda Road and works in Oldbridge and used to make the journey to work in minutes. Now his travel time has increased hugely.
“Those attending the meeting were highly critical of the lack of proper planning and communication for this much needed major repair project,” said Frank Godfrey told Drogheda Life.
“many felt that a new bridge should be constructed which could deal with heavier traffic in a safer manner. Such a bridge could “bypass” the short, twisty and dangerous stretch between the gates of Oldbridge House and the bridge under repair which could be re-purposed for walkers and cyclists.
“Locals recall a near fatal incident some years back when a car skidded into the unprotected Boyne Canal on this stretch. Repairing the bridge doesn’t remove that risk.”
“The disruption it is creating for residents; businesses; farmers and visitors in Drogheda and the immediate area is set to grow now that schools have reopened” he continued.
“Local motorists need to have their say and discuss what actions need to be taken by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the toll operators and the two County Councils, such as suspending the local tolls to avoid traffic chaos and penalising affected motorists.
“At the moment, no consideration is being given to the impact on the public and that needs to change. People need to engage their local public representatives and demand action. I can’t see it being allowed to happen in Eamon Ryan’s; Leo Varadkar’s or Michael Martin’s constituency.”
“Right now, the real winners are the operators of the M1 toll – it’s a bonanza for them and financial misery for local motorists.”
