A group of people including residents, business owners, community groups and local councillors in Clogherhead have joined forces to create a task force to help alleviate the traffic and parking chaos that has been experienced in the seaside village in recent weeks.
Their first initiative, an overflow car park for 60 cars on land beside the beach and another car park at the tennis courts which will accommodate another 30 cars, will be coming on stream this coming weekend.
The main area of concern is Crooked Street or Strand Street, with difficulties also on the Harbour Road, where vehicles are often parked illegally or abandoned, making it extremely difficult for the emergency services to access the beach and challenging for residents on weekends.
“Based on our meetings and suggestions, I was able to negotiate additional land near the beach that will act as an overflow car park for 60+ cars this year and another overflow car park next year that will allow approximately 80+ vehicles and only a 3-minute walk to the beach” said local councillor Declan Power.
“This weekend, we have worked with Louth County Council and have created a temporary overflow car park at the tennis courts, adjacent to the playground that will reduce parking by up to 30 vehicles on the Crooked Street.
“This ‘Park & Walk’ facility is an approximately 6-minute walk to the beach, and we see this as a gentle way of promoting health, fitness and well-being, while easing the traffic and parking congestion.
“We will have volunteer road ushers in operation that will be guiding and directing people safely. We will also have plenty of signage to direct traffic to our new overflow car park” he said.
Councillor Power told Drogheda Life that there are lots more interesting ideas coming on stream in the coming days and weeks.
This weekend the Drogheda and District for Older People will use their trishaw to help transport elderly people or those with mobility issues down to the beach. They also hope to bring in a mechanical train over the next couple of weekends that can hold up to 25 people and bring people up and down to the beach safely, have a bit of fun and view the village in a different light.
“The Beach Hut team have created an offer for the first 30 vehicles parked in the overflow car park this Sunday. Those that do will get a 50% off a hot beverage on submission of one of their special vouchers. We hope to involve other local businesses by providing similar incentives.”
“All these creative ideas are worth trying. All visitors are welcome to the Clogherhead and are encouraged to enjoy the natural resources and amenities that we have on offer, but we need their buy in to make this work.
Damien Kierans from the Smugglers Rest said ‘One silver lining to take from the parking and traffic crisis in the village is that it has brought all businesses, community groups and residents together with a proactive mindset to achieve what’s best for Clogherhead.
“The Smugglers Rest will continue to support where we can and bring clever unique ideas to the village. The Smugglers Rest is also developing a plan where we will reward patrons with a discounted prices when they use the new car park, or who can show proof of using public transport to get to the village.”
