“We are good neighbours, and we must work together to unlock the potential of both of our areas”
Councillors from the Borough of Drogheda and Laytown/ Bettystown Municipal District held their second ever meeting yesterday, this time in Duleek , to discuss key issues affecting both areas.
Speaking after the meeting which was held behind closed doors without any media or public in attendance, Councillor Elaine McGinty, the Cathaoirleach of Laytown-Bettystown who chaired the meeting, hailed progress on a number of key issues common to both areas including the environment, the Boyne Greenway and a joint local area plan
“I was delighted to welcome Councillors from the Borough District of Drogheda to this meeting in Duleek. My hope for this process and future meetings is that we work together as Councillors to visibly improve our areas.
“For too long, the narrative and engagement between our districts has been divisionary, marked by an invisible county boundary. The truth is that as neighbours we all use the same public services, roads, schools and hospitals and represent neighbouring communities and we all want our areas to reach their full potential.
“I wish to thank both Meath and Louth County Councils for their commitment to this process and in particular their contributions on making the Green KM initiative launched at our last meeting such a success.
“We saw communities, schools, businesses and Tidy Town groups join together and collect over 450 bags of litter. I am delighted to hear that this will become an annual event in both counties.”
“Following on from this I have also requested that issues in relation to the environment and climate change be included in all meetings going forward.
“Yesterday we heard about several joint ventures currently being worked on in both councils. I am delighted to say that following my representation further initiatives are now being worked on such as identifying of green space to create tree planting corridors between both counties, a joint campaign to tackle dog fouling on the Boyne Greenway, a bulk waste collection day and flooding remedial works across both districts.
The meeting also received an update on the Drogheda Implementation Board, discussed Garda Division responsibilities and the urgent need for a full time Garda station in Laytown.
There was also an update on the Safe School Routes including ongoing works in Donacarney, Eastham Road and Whitefield Manor to Donacarney School.
The councilors were also told that the Boyne Greenway between Drogheda and Mornington is progressing and it is expected that the application for a Greenway between Navan and Oldbridge will be completed and submitted to An Board Pleanala within the year.
Executives from both counties have been working together on the Joint Urban Transport Plan and it will form part of the Joint Local Area Plan which will finally be forthcoming later this year.
“Over the last 20 years both areas have seen an unprecedented growth in housing and population” Councillor McGinley said.
“The demands for public services and infrastructure have not kept pace. Yesterday’s meeting was about addressing these issues and delivery by working together for both our areas.
“We have all learnt over the last few years how important community and good neighbours are. We are good neighbours, and we must work together to unlock the potential of both of our areas.”
