Calls for additional road funding for Louth labelled a 'waste of time'

Labour councillor for Drogheda Pio Smith has said requesting additional funding for road maintenance in Louth is a "waste of time". 

It came in response to calls from Fine Gael councillor Anne-Marie Ford for all Louth County Councillors to co-sign a letter to Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien requesting an increase in the yearly budget for the county.

Cllr Ford told the February meeting of the Drogheda Borough District that Louth's roads are in an "awful state" and said councillors "really need to push this agenda". 

However, Cllr Smith insisted that he would not co-sign any letter to the minister and argued that it would be quicker for Louth's TDs or Senators to submit a parliamentary question. 

Cllr Smith called on Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly to request a ministerial meeting, before labelling the proposed co-signed letter a "waste of time". 

"I know the rationale behind it, but I've seen this happen before, over and over again."

"The bottom line is we're not going to get anything," he said. 

Read Next: Louth TD 'extremely angry' as FAI confirm Israel fixture will go ahead

In a statement, Cllr Ford said Louth's road network is acting as a transport corridor between Dublin and Belfast and was not designed to carry this volume of traffic. 

She said the county does not receive the funding which reflects that role. 

Cllr Ford said a growing population and worsening conditions have intensified pressure on both local and regional roads. 

She also credited the M1 toll in Drogheda for funnelling traffic through a small number through the town, alongside two ports and a railway station.

The Fine Gael councillor passionately told the meeting the "we don't give up". 

Louth County Council's roadworks programme for 2026 is expected to eclipse €21 million. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.