Drogheda driving test centre is long overdue says Louth TD
Paula Butterly has called on Minister Sean Canney to urgently intervene
Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has today called on Minister for road transport, Sean Canney TD to urgently intervene in securing a new site for Drogheda, driving test centre.
"Louth Deputies & elected representatives have beaten a path to the RSA over the years continuously raising this issue in the Dáil, all they have ever received is generic replies stating that the RSA and OPW are working to secure a suitable site, despite several sites being proposed," says Butterly.
"It beggars’ belief that despite suggestions, not one suitable location can be found. The population of County Louth and Drogheda is growing rapidly, and we are completely out of sync with the rest of the country.
"Counties Carlow, Laois, Offaly and Kilkenny have nine testing centres to service a population of 340,000 people. Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan have four centres to service a population of over 500,000 people.
"Drogheda’s population is tipping 50,000 and has no test centre, it is disproportionate and grossly unfair to the people of County Louth, Drogheda and surrounding areas.
"Our community has grown, our roads are busy and yet we remain without a basic service that towns of our size need and rightfully deserve’. Young people particularly in rural areas have to rely on their own transport to get them to work or college as there are not sufficient public transport options.
"I have called on The Minister for Transport to urgently intervene and prioritise the establishment of a driver test centre in Drogheda. Given the length of time it has taken to get nowhere, we need to get somewhere."