Deputy Fergus O’Dowd has expressed frustration at delays by Louth County Council to the much vaunted Westgate Vision Plan which was approved for funding of almost half a million Euro back in 2018.
O’Dowd was referring to an update he received from Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, which stated that Environmental reports which are required are being prepared in parallel with the final design for a submission to An Bord Pleanála in the third quarter of 2022.
O’Dowd said “It has been a very long road to this point since the government approved €476,000 in 2018 to Louth County Council.
“Whilst this is welcome news I’m frustrated as the project has encountered avoidable delays at council level and I believe those delays have held back Drogheda’s town centre from much needed development and investment at a critical juncture.
“We are all aware of the significant issues with dereliction in this particular part of the town, the Westgate Plan provides a clear path to regenerate the West side of the town and make it a much more accessible and attractive area.
“There is so much to be positive about in Drogheda that will complement the Westgate Vision such as the new Destination Town and Urban Animation Plans, the Active Travel works on the St Dominic’s Bridge and the regeneration plans for St Dominic’s Park and we also had recent confirmation that the long awaited works at the Mell Greenway are due to be completed in 2022.”
“All of these works will help rejuvenate the town centre and bring more footfall and business to our historic town.”
