Former Mayor describes growing anger and calls for action. Meeting planned for 7pm today, Monday (August 28th) at d Hotel
Four times Mayor of Drogheda Frank Godfrey has been an enduring presence in politics and community affairs in the Drogheda, South Louth and East Meath area for almost half a century, during which he served as Chairman of Louth Co. Council.
Living close to the historic Boyne Obelisk Bridge, he sees at first hand the disruption being caused to motorists by the much-needed restoration of the historic bridge.
Frank was one of the first to raise concerns about the structure including the risks posed by heavy vehicles illegally crossing it. Today, he is less than happy with the way motorists who have been using the bridge are being treated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Minister for Transport along with Louth and Meath County Councils now that the work has commenced on this €1 million project which will see the bridge closed until late 2024.
“We haven’t seen the impact this will create when holidays conclude and schools and colleges reopen,” said Frank, adding “for all those reasons, I have arranged a public meeting for this Monday at 7pm (August 28) in the d Hotel, Drogheda and invite everyone who is concerned or impacted by the closure of the bridge to come along.
“Local motorists need to have their say and discuss what actions need to be taken by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, TII and the two County Councils, such as suspending the local tolls to avoid traffic chaos and penalising affected motorists. At the moment, no consideration is being given to the impact on the public and that needs to change.
“I can’t see it being allowed to happen in Eamon Ryan’s; Leo Varadkar’s or Michael Martin’s constituency.”
Frank has been protesting at one of the local M1 toll booths at the Donore Road, Drogheda since Monday last, August 21st and states that he has received huge support from motorists forced to use the tolls for the first time for very short journeys.
He is also collecting signatures on West Street in Drogheda for a petition to have the tolls suspended for the duration of the repair works on the Boyne Obelisk Bridge, as this would help avoid both traffic chaos in Drogheda and penalising motorists with M1 tolls.
“It’s shameful how badly this long-awaited major project has been planned and communicated to the general public by Louth Co. Council” Frank added.
“The disruption it is creating for residents; businesses; farmers and visitors in Drogheda and the immediate area is set to grow as schools reopen.
“Road users are left with a “Hobson’s Choice” – either pay tolls on the M1 motorway for each short local trip, or make a longer, even more expensive journey by going across central Drogheda, adding to traffic delays in Ireland’s largest town and emerging city. Either option adds more of a financial burden on hard-pressed motorists,” said Frank.
