The beneficiaries of a proposed road joining Drogheda Port to the new M1 motorway will have to contribute to the cost of its construction, Louth county manager Mr John Quinliven said, as he confirmed the council had suspended work on the project.
The estimated cost of the 5.5 km northern port access route is €28.6 million, the council has already spent €1 million on it and work will not resume "until that has been recouped by the local authority", he told councillors.
Mr Quinliven made a barely veiled attack on Drogheda Port Company, saying it had no intention of funding the road, the Department of the Marine won't fund it and, as it was not a national route, the roads authority will not contribute either.
"It is a policy of the council that if you come looking for something you have to come with something to offer; I think this is a long-term project and I wouldn't hold my breath as all parties would have to contribute to it," he said.
His comments provoked anger among some representatives, who said it was a vital part of the infrastructure needed to cope with an anticipated growth in population of 20,000 on the northern side of Drogheda.
Heavy goods vehicles travelling to or from Drogheda Port and nearby industries avoid the congested town centre by using "rat runs" through housing estates.
"I am disappointed at the suspension of work. Drogheda is the largest provincial town in Ireland but its development is not happening because of problems with traffic," said Cllr Jimmy Mulroy (FF).