Government face calls to fund second bridge in major Wicklow town

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

The government is facing fresh calls to explore what funding options may be available that would allow the construction of s second bridge across the Avoca River in Arklow.

Proposals for a second bridge in the town date back to the late 1980’s when an Arklow Flood Relief Scheme report in 1989 initially focused on river capacity but noted the bottleneck at the bridge.

Later, the Arklow Town Development Plan of 1999 began outlining broader transport needs as the town faced a surge in population.

The Arklow Environs Local Area Plan 2006-2012 formally included an objective to develop a western road and river crossing linking to a new M11 interchange at Lamberton. In September 2007, the local authority announced it had commissioned consultants for a feasibility study, described at the time as a "magic bullet" for the town's traffic.

Following years of stagnation following the economic downturn, the project then resurfaced in the Wicklow County Development Plan 2021-2027, originally drafted to set the strategic framework for the county, though it has effectively been superseded by the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022–2028, which was adopted in September 2022.

At a district meeting in February 2025, local councillors implored their district staff to revisit the possibility of a second bridge across the Avoca River to help alleviate the “bumper to bumper” traffic on the main arteries through the seaside town.

In response officials highlighted the Draft Arklow Local Planning Framework 2025 (LPF) which has also renewed requirements for a Western Distributor Road including a new bridge from Kilbride to the Vale Road.

As part of the framework, a specific Arklow Local Transport Plan was commissioned to coordinate transport interventions, including active travel and road infrastructure, with the town's expected population surge.

The plan supports the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme, which requires essential underpinning and structural remedial works to the existing 19 Arches Bridge.

The council is currently processing the LPF after a period of public consultation. This will ultimately replace the previous 2018–2024 Local Area Plan.

The pressing need for an additional bridge and alternate route through Arklow has never been so apparent, with lines of vehicles at a standstill stretched across the iconic Nineteen Arches bridge a common sight.

Following a parliamentary question from Wicklow Wexford TD Malcom Byrne about funding options available for the construction of a second bridge, Local Government Minister James Browne said he wouldn’t rule it out and the project will be kept under active review.

“I cannot comment on any individual sites in advance of the opening of the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, however there will be close engagement with stakeholders, including Wicklow County Council, to identify priority areas for investment for infrastructure to unlock housing development.”

“While my Department will work closely with the local authority in respect of project development under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), it should be noted that responsibility for the composition of any current and future applications for URDF funding, such as those in Arklow, and their advancement through the various stages of planning, development and completion will remain, in the first instance, a matter for Wicklow County Council.” he added.