Crucial stage of Drogheda Port Access route ‘in limbo’ says Louth TD

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A “crucial stage” of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in Drogheda remains in limbo, it emerged in a Dáil debate.

Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne TD raised the third phase of the PANCR in the Public Accounts Committee at Leinster House.

Deputy Byrne said “Phase 1 of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in Drogheda was funded through a public-private partnership between the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and two housing developers, Castlethorn and Ballymakenny Developments Ltd.”

She explained that Phase 2 of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in Drogheda is being funded through a collaboration between Louth County Council and HISCo.

“At the Public Accounts Committee, I asked will the Department of Transport step up and fund Phase 3, which is the most crucial stage that involves crossing the Dublin-Belfast railway line. This stage currently remains unfunded and in limbo right now.”

She added: “Their response was that they have been liaising with Louth County Council and that there is ongoing engagement in relation to the project, but that they were waiting for Louth County Council to respond to queries they had raised with them.”

At the November meeting of Louth County Council, Cllr. Eric Donovan also raised the matter with the council’s Chief Executive, David Conway.

Cllr O Donovan said “I was informed that the council needs to respond to two matters. First is the business case, which I am given to understand is straightforward and will be submitted by the end of the year.

The second stage is a multi criteria analysis of traffic modelling, which will include numbers and stats, etc. That will take a little longer but is expected to be submitted by early February 2026. Then, the ball is back in the department’s court. They may ask for a detailed design and approve funding for the next steps, but not the full amount, which could potentially be between €20m-30m.”

He added: “Louth County Council does hope to have something more solid from the department in response to the compiled business and traffic case that the council will present.”

Cllr. O’Donovan said: “It is vital we have clarity on Phase 3 of the PANCR, as it will be then what it was intended to be. A link road opening up the North Side of Drogheda, taking traffic congestion out of the town centre, and providing much needed homes for people.”