Since the barriers were installed at Drogheda bus station to prevent drivers from dropping off and collecting passengers, many people have resorted to accessing the depot by climbing over the low wall on the Donore Road side of the depot or are being dropped off from their taxis or lifts on the dual carriageway. Not ideal, especially if you are carrying luggage, pushing a buggy or in a wheelchair.
Other passengers are stopping on the already badly congested Donore Road or in the car park of the convenience store across the road. Some would say it’s a total mess.
In a call to action, Michael O’Dowd, the Aontu representative for Louth, is demanding Bus Éireann and Louth County Council to join forces and tackle the pressing problem of access to the Bus Depot in Drogheda.
O’Dowd’s proposal revolves around utilising the untapped potential of the space at the Depot, which faces the bypass and stands opposite the McDonald’s establishment. His suggestion is to transform this area into a designated safe drop-off point for taxis.
”The urgency of this matter became glaringly evident following a recent distressing incident involving a senior citizen grappling with two suitcases, attempting to secure a taxi, leading to a fall. This event underscores the current untenable situation where taxis are denied entry to the Bus Depot – a practice deemed not only unacceptable but also discriminatory.
The impact is felt most acutely by individuals with disabilities, who are disproportionately disadvantaged, but the ripple effect extends to various sectors of the population. Families with young children, elderly citizens, and travellers burdened with heavy luggage are all compelled to cross a dangerous and busy road, as taxis are left with no alternative but to discharge passengers in the Spar car park, directly opposite the Bus Depot.
O’Dowd has examined the feasibility of this proposal, consulting a road engineer who has confirmed that there exists ample space at the rear of the Bus Depot, leading onto the bypass, to facilitate the establishment of a secure drop-off and pick-up point. There is ample sight lines and distance from the junction and the traffic lights to meet road safety requirements.
In the event of additional land requirements, the Council could readily provide the necessary resources. A glaring safety concern is also the existing bus stop along the road, widely considered hazardous. O’Dowd envisions the creation of a double bay off the road, a measure that could significantly enhance safety for passengers.
This issue’s roots trace back to the initial allocation of land by Drogheda Corporation to what was then CIE, with the explicit understanding that taxis would be permitted to discharge passengers. It is incumbent upon Bus Éireann to address this departure from the original agreement, as the responsibility falls squarely on their shoulders to ensure that prospective passengers can access their services safely and without impediment.
The pressing need for a resolution cannot be overstated, as it affects not only the well-being of vulnerable individuals but the broader community’s convenience and safety. ”
