McGuinness targets zoned land in Haggardstown to be used for a secondary school
Fianna Fáil councillor Shane McGuinness has earmarked a large site in Haggardstown which he believes should be designated for use as a large education campus with secondary school and playing fields.
McGuinness who represents the people of Dundalk South says that the Blackrock and Haggardstown area needs more infrastructiure and resources given the fact the population has exploded in recent years.
“A big push must be made now for a secondary school in the South side of Dundalk town. The traffic over the last number of years feels like it has trebled and where a 10-minute journey is now 30 minutes at some times of the day. The need for our next and badly needed secondary school will need serious attention as to the location which I believe is now best placed to be in the Haggardstown area,” he stated.
“I have carried out my due diligence on this and firstly, we now have the numbers with all schools in Dundalk town now at capacity. If we look at O’Fiach college and possibly move this school to be more associated to vocational training and apprenticeships which are so badly needed, it opens up a gap and need for a new secondary school to be pushed for now.
“We have now in the local area plan for Dundalk, designated and zoned a large site in Haggardstown, west of Wadman park along the western relief road. This site could possibly now be designated for a large education campus with secondary school, playing fields for all sports, and facilities possibly an outdoor swimming pool.
“This I feel needs to be high on our agenda and would reduce much traffic heading towards the town at peak times and cover a large area of South Dundalk and Mid Louth for new students for many years to come,” concluded McGuinness.