Louth County Council is inviting the public to review and submit feedback on Draft Part 8 proposals for a new Active Travel scheme in Drogheda along the R168 Collon Road and the R166 Northern Cross Route. The initiative is designed to deliver safer, more accessible and better-connected walking and cycling facilities while improving conditions for all road users.

The corridor would run from the Slane Road/Cement Road Junction along the R168 Collon Road to the Hill of Rath Roundabout, then continue via the R166 Northern Cross Route to the Rosehall Roundabout. The scheme is intended to strengthen links between residential neighbourhoods, employment areas, schools, retail destinations and existing public transport and road infrastructure.

The objectives include improving accessibility and social inclusion with high-quality routes for people of all ages and abilities; enhancing safety for people walking and cycling through better crossings, upgraded junctions and dedicated facilities; supporting economic activity by improving access to employment hubs, shops and local services; encouraging sustainable travel to reduce reliance on private cars and cut transport emissions; and improving integration and connectivity between communities, new and existing developments, and the wider transport network.

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Planned works comprise approximately 1.2 km of segregated cycle tracks and upgraded footpaths on both sides of the R168 Collon Road from the Slane Road/Cement Road Junction to the Hill of Rath Roundabout; around 0.8 km of two-way cycle track on the southern side of the R166 Northern Cross Route from the Hill of Rath Roundabout to the Rosehall Roundabout; junction upgrades along the route to improve safety and accessibility; enhanced pedestrian and cyclist crossings at Leonard's Cross, the M1 Retail Park Roundabout, the Hill of Rath Roundabout and the Rosehall Roundabout; improvements to entrances and access points to better accommodate active travel; and traffic-calming measures, including raised crossings and tighter junction geometry, to manage vehicle speeds and protect vulnerable road users.

Following the required screenings, Louth County Council has concluded that neither an Appropriate Assessment (AA) nor an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) is required for the proposed development.

Plans and particulars will be available for public inspection from Tuesday, 27 October 2026 to Tuesday, 24 November 2026. Submissions and observations may be made until 5pm on Tuesday, 8 December 2026. Full details, including drawings and supporting documents, are available at consult.louthcoco.ie.

Key dates are as follows: public display opens on Tuesday, 27 October 2026; public display closes on Tuesday, 24 November 2026; and the final date for submissions is 5pm on Tuesday, 8 December 2026.

This project is funded by the National Transport Authority.