’Clogherhead is in bits, and has been for a long time,’ says Louth councillor

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Clogherhead village is in urgent need of road repairs, Cllr. Declan Power told the monthly meeting of Drogheda Borough District.

The local councillor, who raised a number of issues at the September meeting, called for an update on the roadworks programme for Clogherhead, saying: “The village is in bits, and has been for a long time.”

Cllr. Power praised the work which had been completed so far by the council at The Dales in Clogherhead. He said one kilometre has been completed to “an excellent standard” but residents were asking when the second kilometre, which was now “in a deplorable condition” would be repaired.

He said he had been given assurances that works would begin in August but it was now September and no progress had been made. He asked who had made the decision on which side to start the works as the remaining kilometre had been in a much worse condition.

Cllr. Power highlighted the ‘Reduce Speed’ sign flashing beacon at Termonfeckin National School, saying it had been raised for many months with the council. “It still remains out of operation, which is deeply concerning as the children are back at school, and given the well known speeding issues along the Baltray to Termonfeckin Road.”

He called for signs at the Townrath junction to be reviewed as HGV drivers had difficulty seeing the signs as they made the turn at Townrath. “The signage needs to be brought back about 20 metres so that HGV’s have advance warning to take an alternative route.”

He said new signage which had been installed to alert drivers of the bridge had already been damaged.

Beaulieu bridge signage also needed to be looked at by the council, said Cllr. Power.

Cllr. Eric Donovan also raised issues at Forest Park, where every morning at peak times, at the junction there should be room for two cars to come out, but the narrowing of the path doesn’t allow for two vehicles. He said if the path was reduced it would “alleviate a lot of stress for people there” as traffic is backed up along the route most mornings.

Council engineer, Irene McGahon responded to queries on roadworks at The Dales, saying it “hasn’t been forgotten” and will be looked at.

She added that the roadworks programme for Drogheda was almost complete for 2025, but said she would revert back on Clogherhead.

An engineer from the council would look at the issues raised by Cllr. Donovan in relation to the Forest Park junction.