Calls for clarity on funding for crucial Louth road project

Local Sinn Féin representatives Joanna Byrne TD and Cllr. Eric Donovan has been raising the third phase of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in Drogheda at the Public Accounts Committee and with Louth County Council respectively.

Phase 1 of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in Drogheda was funded through a public-private partnership between the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and two housing developers, Castlethorn and Ballymakenny Developments Ltd.

Phase 2 of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in Drogheda is being funded through a collaboration between Louth County Council and HISCo.

Deputy Byrne said:

“At the Public Accounts Committee, I asked will the Department of Transport step up and fund Phase 3, which is the most crucial stage that involves crossing the Dublin-Belfast railway line. This stage currently remains unfunded and in limbo right now.

“Their response was that they have been liaising with Louth County Council and that there is ongoing engagement in relation to the project, but that they were waiting for Louth County Council to respond to queries they had raised with them.”

This week at the full meeting of Louth County Council, Cllr. Eric Donovan raised this matter with the Council CEO.

Cllr O Donovan said: “ I was informed that the council needs to respond to two matters. First is the business case, which I am given to understand is straightforward and will be submitted by the end of the year.

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“Part 2 is a multi criteria analysis of traffic modelling, which will include numbers and stats, etc. That will take a little longer but is expected to be submitted by early February 2026. 

“Then, the ball is back in the departments court. They may ask for a detailed design and approve funding for the next steps, but not the full amount, which could potentially be between €20m-30m.“LCC does hope to have something more solid from the department in response to the compiled business and traffic case that the LCC will present. 

“It is vital we have clarity on Phase 3 of the PANCR, as it will be then what it was intended to be. A link road opening up the North Side of Drogheda, taking traffic congestion out of the town centre, and providing much needed homes for people.”