City Status Now Essential – O’Dowd
The culmination of many years of hard work and campaigning – Nash
Almost two decades after it was first mooted, and following many false dawns, the first sod of the Port Access Northern Cross Route which will open up land for development and hopefully solve many of Drogheda’s serious traffic problems, was finally cut today.
PANCR Phase will deliver much needed infrastructure to Drogheda’s northern environs and will facilitate delivery of approximately 5,000 new homes.
It will also provide significantly improved connectivity to the M1 Motorway, the M1 retail park and the town centre together with all its amenities, retail and services.
Fine Gael TD, Fergus O’Dowd, said that today’s sod turning was a very important step forward for Drogheda becoming a city.
Deputy O’DOwd was joined by the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD on the site of the new development on the Ballymakenny road this morning.
“This project lays the groundwork for our town to transition to a city over the coming years which is very welcome” O’Dowd said. “I firmly believe we now need to secure a city administration in Drogheda and District to focus entirely on our future needs.
“This project will also open up significant possibilities including the need for a new Drogheda North Train station, a new municipal stadium and of course the housing and jobs that will be delivered as a result.
“A key priority for the council now must be to ensure that the significant housing development is matched by investment in the provision of community and recreational facilities, and we must insist that the relevant developers invest heavily in the area.
“City status must be achieved in an appropriate and controlled manner to ensure we are not left with concrete jungles devoid of recreation and amenities facilities.
“We are seeing increased government investment and focus on Drogheda and District. The Westgate Vision plan is close to a planning application submission, we have the new IDA land bank and advanced building solution which will be located at the Rosehall end of the Northern Cross Route. Exciting times ahead for Drogheda” he concluded.
Equally pleased today was Labour Deputy Ged Nash who said: “Today is an important day for Drogheda.
“The sod turning on phase 1 of the northern port access route is the culmination of many years of hard work and campaigning to open up lands to ultimately develop 5,000 new homes in Drogheda and allow our town centre to breath and become a better, more liveable and sustainable place.
“The delivery of the road is being done in an innovative way. After many false starts over the years, this is a good day and a great development for our town.”
