Editing Drogheda (section)

===21st century===
Two decades into the 21st century some of the historic core of Drogheda town has suffered urban decline. Some of the buildings have been derelict for some years and are in danger of collapse.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-25 |title=Dangerous structure notice is served on two Narrow West Street properties |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/dangerous-structure-notice-is-served-on-two-narrow-west-street-properties-35472175.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518105300/http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/dangerous-structure-notice-is-served-on-two-narrow-west-street-properties-35472175.html |archive-date=18 May 2017 |access-date=2020-05-18 |work=[[Drogheda Independent]]}}</ref> There was a 2006 traffic plan for pedestrianisation of West Street. It was rejected at a vote of the elected councillors. They had come under pressure from traders in the area concerned about a potential further decline in customer footfall. But the issue has come up for debate again.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-05-13 |title=Councillors in favour of closing West Street to traffic |url=https://droghedalife.com/news/councillors-in-favour-of-closing-west-street-to-traffic |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530132654/https://droghedalife.com/news/councillors-in-favour-of-closing-west-street-to-traffic |archive-date=30 May 2020 |access-date=2020-05-18 |work=Drogheda Life |language=en-IE}}</ref> When asked, Drogheda residents point out that a combination of expensive car-parking and high commercial rates had a push-pull effect on the town's centre. Shops were forced to close and at the same time shoppers brought their business to retail parks such as the Boyne Shopping Centre on Bolton Street.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-02-18 |title=Planning 'neglect' has made Drogheda a town that has lost its 'heart' |work=[[TheJournal.ie]] |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/drogheda-town-election-2580191-Feb2016/ |first=Cliodhna |last=Russell |access-date=2020-05-18 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924175419/https://www.thejournal.ie/drogheda-town-election-2580191-Feb2016/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A substantial root-and-branch approach to renewal of the locality was proposed in "Westgate Vision: A Townscape Recovery Guide". The Westgate area of Drogheda is to be subject to a 10-year regeneration by Louth County Council.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Louth Forward Planning Office |url=https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/planning/westgate-vision-/ |title=Westgate Vision: A Townscape Recovery Guide |date=June 2018 |publisher=Louth County Council |location=Dundalk |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416150705/https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/planning/westgate-vision-/ |url-status=live}}</ref>