Drogheda's 'poor image' bad for trade

A three-year economic action plan for Drogheda, Co Louth, has identified its "poor image" as a serious impediment to development of the town.

The Action Plan 2004 - 2007 also identifies the division of the town into areas controlled by three separate local authorities, poor access to the port, poor retail facilities and litter as problems that must be addressed.

The plan also claims the town, identified by the National Spatial Strategy as a development centre, has a number of strengths that the authors plan to exploit over the coming three-year period. These include the local IDA business park, good telecommunications, good access to the M1 motorway and links to the Dublin-Belfast railway and airports in both cities.

The report also makes a number of recommendations on which the various local authorities can take action. These include:

The plan also recommends that Drogheda Borough Council develop a public relations and marketing strategy.

Among the opportunities listed in the plan are the proximity of the town to Dublin, its critical mass of population, the presence of Dundalk Institute of Technology and the FÁS outreach service. There are also good recreational facilities and potential for tourism development.

According to the strategy, Drogheda is a wonderful medieval town and the continuing growth of tourism ensures it is well equipped to capitalise on the thousands of tourists who visit its historic hinterland every year.

While the strategy is also keen to develop retail facilities, it notes that the town's weekly market should be reviewed in 2005.

In relation to environmental issues, the strategy recommends the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act, the development of a grant scheme for shop fronts, the provision of a new litter management plan and design guidelines for new buildings, particularly in sensitive areas. According to the mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Gerald Nash, the town is now the most populous town in the State, with more than 30,000 residents and suburbs in Louth and Meath.

"We now live in an ethnically and culturally diverse town, proud of its strong industrial traditions, but willing to move forward," said Cllr Nash.

The plan was compiled with the aid of Meath and Louth county councils, Drogheda Borough Council, FÁS, the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Drogheda Chambers of Trade and Commerce, Drogheda Council of Trade Unions and Louth County Enterprise Board.