Drogheda needs major urban renewal programme – Hannigan.
Issued : Friday 12 March, 2010
A call for Drogheda to embark on a comprehensive urban renewal programme, has come from Labour Senator Dominic Hannigan and Councillor Eoin Holmes.
The East Meath Senator said he and Cllr Holmes share the concerns expressed by businesses at Tuesday’s crisis meeting organised by Drogheda Chamber of Commerce.
“Rather than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic we need to stand back and address the bigger picture. A serious, well thought out urban regeneration programme could revitalise the town,” said Cllr Holmes.
Senator Hannigan said Drogheda is the town where many of his and Cllr Holmes constituents in east Meath, shop, work and socialise.
“By looking at other similar sized towns in Ireland who have had successful regeneration projects, we can devise a strategy that will work here,” said Hannigan.
“Rather than dwelling on the negative Drogheda needs to identify and exploit its many positives,” said Cllr Holmes.
“I am convinced Drogheda can become a destination town for shopping, tourism and recreation for the very large community it has living in its hinterland,” Senator Hannigan added.
The Senator said nationally the Labour Party is working to bring commercial rents down.
“We are aware that the retail sector is under considerable pressure. This is why we brought forward our bill to outlaw upward only rent reviews, which was voted down in the Dail,” he said.
