Louth Labour TD Ged Nash has said he intends to bring forward a legislative amendment aimed at clearing the way for a new train station for North Drogheda.
Speaking in the Dáil this week, Deputy Nash said the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail and the Government had been “playing pass the parcel” with responsibility for the project.
The Dublin Transport Authority Amendment Bill is currently progressing through the Dáil and Deputy Nash believes a small amendment to the legislation could help move the North Drogheda train station project forward.
Deputy Nash explained:
“The Bill will enhance the NTA’s role in a number of centres of population around the country. As the Greater Dublin Area for transport planning purposes includes only the counties contiguous to Dublin ie Meath, Wicklow and Kildare, the NTA says it cannot therefore take on responsibility for the building of a new station, and that that is, as a result, the job of the Minister for Transport.
“I intend to bring forward an amendment that will address this gaping hole. This would effectively mean that the NTA can no longer say it does not have the remit to act on the North Drogheda train station project.”
The Labour TD said the project had effectively become “nobody’s child”.
“Right now, it seems to me that an additional train station for Drogheda is an orphan project, it has become nobody’s child. Irish Rail’s CEO tells me they are open to the project but it is up to the others to develop the proposal.
“The NTA, in turn, say that Louth is outside the GDA and therefore, beyond their remit and as for the Government and the Minister for Transport, they will tell you the project is anyone’s responsibility but theirs. On this, he is spoofing.
“This small amendment will call a halt to the parcel passing and allow the NTA to develop a proposal, in concert with Irish Rail, to present to their paymasters in the government for funding.”
Deputy Nash also pointed to recent commitments for rail infrastructure in other areas and said Drogheda deserved similar investment.
He concluded: “Navan recently won a commitment for two new rail stations, all Drogheda is asking for is one more. An exploding population in the north of our town deserves proper transport links, and a train station in this part of town is vital for the town’s future.
“I will continue to make the case for a new train station in North Drogheda in any and every way I can and I would ask constituents’ support in calling on their Government representatives to support my amendment.”
