Serious question marks hang over RSA decision to abandon Drogheda
2 March 2023
PRESS RELEASE
2.3.23
Serious questions marks hang over RSA decision to abandon Drogheda – Nash
A Louth TD has sharply criticised the RSA for its decision to close a temporary driving test centre in Drogheda before a local alternative has been sourced.
Responding to the decision by the Road Safety Authority not to extend the lease on the temporary driving test centre in Drogheda, Deputy Ged Nash said: “Aware that the lease with Drogheda Town FC was to expire at the end of February 2023, I have been working intensively on this issue since last spring and have proposed a number of alternative locations to the RSA for a new test centre.
“I received a written commitment from the RSA late last year that a greenfield site had been identified, only for cold water to be poured on that at a meeting in early February.
“Conscious that a number of local residents had expressed road safety concerns
I volunteered to act as an honest broker between the RSA and the residents, and separately with a representative of the Club, to find a solution that would enable Drogheda to continue to have a much-needed driving test centre until such time as a permanent site which Drogheda deserves is found.”
Deputy Nash added: “Since that meeting in early February, I have been seeking to engage with RSA on an almost daily basis. RSA had been less than forthcoming in their communication with me.
“The decision is the worst of all possible worlds and leaves local people waiting on driving tests in the lurch, forced to join the queue for tests in Dundalk or Navan and I simply won’t accept the RSA blaming the residents for its own decision to pull out of the town.”
“For the last two weeks, the RSA fell oddly silent on this issue and out of the blue, on Thursday morning, I received a letter from them by email informing me of the association’s decision to close the current test centre and not extend its lease.”
The Louth Labour TD said: “I was flabbergasted by the decision and it leaves me with serious and justified doubts over the RSA’s commitment to the town.”
He concluded: “With no sign of an alternative location being sourced in the short-term, those already waiting an intolerably lengthy time for tests in Drogheda will now have to join the queue in Dundalk or Navan and reassurances from the RSA that they will not lose their place in the queue, will come as cold comfort to the affected drivers.”
ENDS