Public meeting agrees to protest at M1 toll ramp and Dail Eireann
“Out of our remit” says Louth County Council
The campaign to highlight the problems facing local motorists following the closure of the Obelisk Bridge for repairs until late 2024 is gaining momentum.
A second public meeting held in the d Hotel on Monday night was much better attended than the previous one with motorists affected by the closure of the historic bridge airing their concerns and deciding to hold a protest on Sunday next, 24th September at the northbound toll ramp on the M1 at the Donore Road, Drogheda between 12 noon and 1pm. A protest at the Gates to Dáil Éireann is also being considered.
“Louth and Meath County Councils along with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the toll operators Celtic Roads Group and Minister Eamon Ryan have shown no consideration for motorists, especially those who need to regularly use the historic bridge,” said Frank Godfrey who, living as he does close to the bridge, sympathises with the plight of those affected.
Slane based Councillor Wayne Harding said the existence of the tolls means the Greater Drogheda area cannot develop to its full economic potential, and that the closure of the Obelisk Bridge has drawn attention to this critical issue.
Echoing these remarks, another local councillor, Paddy Meade, said the full removal of the M1 Toll at Drogheda is the only solution.
“The cost to the Government to buy out the contract may appear significant, but the cost of the tolls to the local economy in Louth and Meath is even more so” he said.
“The impact of the tolls is having a deeply negative effect on areas like Donore, Oldbridge, Duleek, Julianstown, Slane, Tullyallen and of course, Drogheda.”
Meanwhile Drogheda Councillor James Byrne raised the M1 tolls issue with officials at Monday’s Council meeting in Dundalk saying it could hinder the economic development of Drogheda.
“I appreciate the issue of tolling is not within the remit of Louth County Council, but I wanted to know if it ever raised any concerns with the Government and to formally propose writing to the Minister for Transport to initiate discussions on the future of tolling around Drogheda as a matter of urgency” he said.
“Like many others, I’m concerned about the negative impact it is having on the greater Drogheda area. I always have admired the efforts of former Cllr Ken O’hÉiligh and others in highlighting the unfairness of the Drogheda tolls, even when it wasn’t the trendy thing to do.”
“The much publicised but necessary closure of the Obelisk bridge has exacerbated the problem and other infrastructure projects that are coming down the line will add further pressure to traffic flow through Drogheda.
“As we all know phase 1 of the Northern Cross Route is well underway and before we know it the entire route will be in place. I am concerned that the new road will not be utilised to its full potential if there is no flexibility shown or movement made in relation to the tolls.
“I can still see the streets of Drogheda congested with HGVs continuing to negotiate our narrow streets long after the ribbon is cut on the new road. It is my belief that something needs to be done by the Government on the tolls even before the PPP contract runs its course.
“The reply I got from the Council was rather blunt and not exactly encouraging.. “Out of their remit so staying out of it”.
“Perhaps the Council is right to take that position, but surely it’s in the Council’s interests too. Our interests are their interests after all! It would have been a welcome show of support to all who are pushing for a sensible solution on the tolls.”
