There is a future for the Northern Cross Route Project – O’Dowd

Fine Gael TD, Fergus O’Dowd, has stated that there is a viable route forward for the Northern Cross Route project following the news of the application’s appalling score in the latest round of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

Deputy O’Dowd said: “Having reviewed the application, it is quite clear that officials have determined that there are serious and inherent weaknesses in the application.

“Serious concerns on value for money, strategic alignment to the NDP and climate change have all been highlighted. Officials outlined that the project did not even meet the core objectives of the fund itself.

“I have had a further lengthy discussion with Minister O’Brien earlier today. The effective solution I believe is that the Department of Transport fund a significant contribution towards the capital road element of the project, and the Department of Housing working closely with Louth County Council proceed with the URDF focusing on the Urban Renewal element of the project.

“The Minister has again confirmed to me that over €200m remains available for key projects that did not make this round of funding. It is quite clear that a further rejigged review would more than likely prove fruitless unless the Department of Transport becomes involved and part funds the route.

“I have separately written to the Chairperson of the Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage requesting that the matter be brought before the committee urgently, we need full transparency in terms of how this application failed so dismally.

“Separately, the disgraceful dereliction of the west side of Drogheda must be addressed through the Westgate Vision Plan which has been applied for under the very same Urban Regeneration and Development fund. Frustrating and avoidable delays have been encountered since the Government approved the Category B project in Call 1 of the URDF in November 2018.”

ENDS