Louth County Council was allocated €6.5m from the NTA Active Travel last year to fund walking and cycling projects throughout the County.  Yesterday they displayed their plans for Phase one of their active travel scheme to members of the public in Drogheda Library. 

Phase one includes two projects - Rathmullan Road/ Marley’s Lane and North Road, both of which are now open for public consultation online. 

There are also plans in the pipeline for a route from the Bridge of Peace out past the train station and further out the Dublin Road where design work is ongoing and is complicated by the bridge carrying the Navan railway line. 

The proposed Drogheda active travel schemes will involve the provision of active travel infrastructure across Drogheda town, including the introduction of cycle facilities and improvement to existing pedestrian facilities along the routes.

The improved streets will facilitate and encourage more sustainable modes of transport in Drogheda and provide safer routes for all road users.

The schemes are also aimed to enhance smarter travel opportunities for both local communities and visitors and provide a better connectivity to local schools, healthcare facilities and sports/leisure centres in the area. 

picThe Rathmullan Road/Marley’s Lane scheme will involve provision and improvement of cycle facilities and footpaths along Rathmullan Rd and Marley’s Lane. It also includes improvement works to the existing off-line path within St Dominic’s Park from Rampart Green to St Dominic’s Bridge. 

The North Road scheme will also involve provision and improvement of cycle facilities and footpaths along the R132 North Road from the Rosehall roundabout, which will soon have an entrance to the Northern Cross route development, to the Fair Street Junction, where the scheme ties in with the separate Westgate Vision Scheme.

The Drogheda Cycling Group, which has been campaigning for such active travel facilities for some time, has warmly welcomed the publication of the Council’s plans. 

The group's Chairperson, Noel Hogan, said: “These developments offer a glimpse of a brighter future for Drogheda, where people of all ages feel safe travelling by bicycle around Ireland’s largest town. In the midst of a cost of living crisis it is no surprise that people are opting for a zero cost method of travel in ever greater numbers.” 

“We hope these plans are just the start of a comprehensive cycling network around Drogheda that allows commuters, schoolchildren, shoppers and others to travel cost free around Drogheda. We will be welcoming these plans and hope others do the same”.

To see more about the plans and to make a submission CLICK HERE