'Exciting time as Slane bypass plan moves step closer'

Cllr Wayne Harding, Cathaoirleach of Laytown/Bettystown MDC

It is a great privilege to have been elected Chairperson of the Laytown/ Bettystown Municipal District. It is a very exciting time as the first half of 2023 should see an application for the Slane bypass being submitted to An Board Pleanala and an emerging route for the Boyne Greenway being announced for the Oldbridge to Navan section.

This would in time replace the notoriously dangerous N2 with a cycle and pedestrian route from the river Boyne to Slane village and would be a game changer for the estate village. I hope to further help in rolling out a staged process by which residents apply for traffic calming measures within their estates where needed. There are increased calls for this.

The coastal area which has exploded in population throughout my time on the council is now getting the much needed infrastructure to match and I want to acknowledge the roll of our area manager Fiona Lawless in this. The Tara Road was so important and the library will be state of the art. The enhancement of Seafield and a linear park in Laytown will also be rolled out. There are always challenges in the role of a local councillor and climate change will be an extraordinary danger that we will all face. It was a real privilege as part of my term to open public housing schemes with Minister O'Brien in Donore and Duleek and I will continue to work hard in St Oliver's Community College in Drogheda and Colaiste na hIinse in Bettystown as part of my membership of the board of LMETB an incredibly progressive organisation led by CE Martin O Brien.

A very Happy new Year to all residents of the Laytown/ Bettystown Municipal District.