Julianstown, a quaint County Meath village, has chronic traffic levels (image © courtesy of Youtube.com)

Update 1stMarch2017 - not one public representative has contacted us to acknowledge the issue; let's continue to gather support.

There are obvious health risks too for the children of Whitecross National School, 70k+ East Meath/South Drogheda residents, and those who commute each day. Why do we allow this impact Drogheda City's business development potential by choking our local economy, and limit our freedom of movement?

An estimated 22,000 vehicles per day go through the village traversing a stone bridge. Peak time levels hit 1750 vehicles per hour, equating to 30 vehicles per minute, or a vehicle every 2 seconds on a route designed in the 1600's for a Coach, 2 Coachmen, and four horses? 

In morning rush hour traffic, levels exceed those on the M1 motorway which Meath County Council maintains is a bypass for Julianstown. Indeed, traffic in Julianstown is at two thirds the M1 motorway level (the national road between Ireland's two largest cities - Dublin and Belfast) and negotiates a total of 11 junctions along the 12km route from City North Hotel to South Gate Shopping Centre.  Not only is this a cost in wasted personal time, but in obvious business delays and ability to attract inward investment.

The Boyne/Mary McAleese bridge opened on Jun9th 2003. The toll is located 33km north from the M50/M1 junction; midway between M1/M50 and the border is located a further 12km north of Drogheda near Monasterboice at 44km;  this means the toll is located not at logical mid-way, but nearest the greatest conurbation - why? 

This petition is addressed at Ministers, MEPs, TDs, councillors.

Let's just put a stop to this nonsense - sign the petition, and importantly spread the word - to remove the M1 toll and allow Drogheda City begin our autonomy now.

Go raibh maith agat chairde,

Cian O'Ruiséil  www.DroghedaCity.com