‘The town is dying on it’s feet’ – Call for Ardee bypass forum as plans stalled in Supreme Court
The Drogheda Independent“Ardee is dying on its feet, there is constant traffic gridlock,” said a Louth councillor who called for a public forum supporting the Ardee Bypass to be set up.
Cllr. Pearse McGeough, who has raised the issue at meetings of Ardee Municipal District, told The Argus: "I think we need to get people together who are backing the bypass to air their views in a public forum.”
He said the public campaign in Slane, which was backed by a local lobby group, had added weight to the calls for a bypass of the busy Meath town.
"We really need to get people together in Ardee, all stakeholders including businesspeople, local residents, public representatives and gardai, because we are all waiting with bated breath for the Supreme Court judgement. But more needs to be done.”
Cllr. McGeough added: “The vast majority of traffic is through traffic, and it is leading to gridlock most days. It is not good for the town, and it is not healthy to have cars sitting running their engines for three quarters of an hour.”
Recent roadworks at John Street have caused long tailbacks in Ardee, he added.
“I fully support the roadworks that need done, we all want better roads in our town. But each time we have works in the town there is traffic gridlock.”
"Ardee is dying on its feet, it really needs a bypass. I had a motion at the Municipal meeting earlier in the year calling for the forum to be set up, we need progress on it.”
Proposals for the N52 Ardee bypass project, which have been in the pipeline for many years, are currently stalled due to legal objections lodged by the ‘Friends of Ardee Bog’ lobby group.
Speaking at the November meeting of Ardee Municipal District, Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr. John Sheridan, said Cllr. McGeough’s calls for a public forum could be placed on the agenda for discussion at the December meeting.