By Andy Spearman

The Chairman of the Drogheda Cycling group, Noel Hogan, says Louth County Council are “kicking the can down the road” on implementing plans to install active travel routes in the town and these delays are wasting taxpayer’s money due to increasing costs.

His comments come as the government has today announced Phase 2 of their Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 plan which focuses on 12 actions which Minister Darragh O’Brien says have the potential for “truly transformative impacts”.

In the plan they promise to implement 500 kilometres of new, or upgraded, segregated active travel infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and deliver 150 additional front-of-school treatments through the Safe Routes to School Programme.

The Government is making the promises, but the delivery of these plans is down to local authorities in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and the capacity for delays is vast.

Over the past number of years, the Drogheda Cycling Group has been campaigning for safer cycling routes and more Active Transport options for the town and Mr. Hogan, says that Louth County Council have been “kicking the can down the road” to such an extent that it’s impossible to have any confidence in their predictions.

“Why are timelines for going to part 8 planning consistently slipping?” he asked. “It’s basically two and a half years of ‘we’ll get to it next month’ at this stage.”

He gives as an example the Bridge of Peace to train station Active Travel scheme which was first mooted in January 2023 but is still as far from being implemented as ever.

“If a council consistently breaks its promises like these it needs to be explained. What are the specific delays holding these projects up?” Mr. Hogan asked.

“Given that delays cost money (due to building inflation) the council are essentially wasting taxpayers’ money by refusing to go ahead with these schemes.”

"The council need to explain why they are constantly promising to move forward with the active travel schemes in Drogheda and then failing to do so.

“Can they give a detailed explanation behind these delays? Are they happy to waste taxpayers’ money by delaying these schemes?

“When public bodies waste money they are usually called up in front of the Public Accounts Committee to explain themselves.”