Footpaths to be widened and speed cut to 20kmh in Wicklow village’s road redesign
The Wicklow PeopleA road redesign aimed at increasing safety for people walking and cycling in Delgany is to be implemented, after councillors approved plans to move the project to its next stage.
The Convent Road Active Travel Scheme opened for public consultation under a Part 8 planning application earlier this year.
Of the 85 submissions received during public consultation, almost three-quarters backed the proposal, many off the back of an effective trial run four years ago.
For eight weeks in 2022, Convent Road operated as a local access only street during drainage works for the Richview housing development.
According to the planning report, footfall increased during that period and residents reported that the village felt more peaceful and less dominated by traffic.
No significant traffic, access or safety issues were identified during the temporary arrangement.
Following that experience, Delgany Community Council, the Delgany Village Businesses Alliance and Delgany Tidy Towns expressed support for permanently removing through traffic from the road.
The preferred plan, listed as Option 7, was chosen because it best mirrored the scenario in 2022.
It stops drivers using Convent Road as a shortcut through the village, while maintaining two-way traffic.
Motorists would no longer be able to drive straight through it, instead turning at a mini-roundabout.
The council says the changes would make the area safer by widening footpaths, adding new pedestrian crossings, slowing traffic to 20kmh and introducing measures to calm traffic.
The project would also include landscaping improvements and some parking spaces, including an accessible parking bay.
If the plan goes ahead as proposed, traffic on Convent Road could fall by about 90 per cent, creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment with less noise and pollution.
Council officials told Greystones councillors at their September meeting that concerns about parking, traffic displacement and the need for wider public realm improvements were raised during the consultation period.
They said these matters would be examined in greater detail as the scheme progresses. Particular attention will also be paid to preserving protected structures located along the route.
Cllr Lourda Scott sought assurances that disability friendly and age friendly parking spaces would be considered as part of the detailed design process.
Officials confirmed they would and that relevant stakeholder groups would be consulted during the detailed design stage.
Cllr Louise Fenlon Gaskin stressed that parking issues needed to be considered in the context of Delgany’s main street as a whole. She said any redesign of Convent Road should take account of wider parking requirements across the village centre.
Cllr Stephen Stokes described the proposal as an important investment for Delgany.
He said the area can often feel overlooked and praised local community organisations for their work in shaping the project.
He added that it was important that the needs of residents living along the village’s main street were recognised as the design is refined.
He also urged officials to keep forthcoming parking by laws in mind during the next phase of planning.
Councillors were advised that the timetable for construction remains dependent on other infrastructure projects currently underway in the area, including works in Killincarrig.
As a result, no firm completion date was provided.