New road safety scheme targets rat running through Wicklow village
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has begun the Part 8 planning process for a proposed road safety scheme aimed at eliminating long‑standing rat‑running through Kilpedder and improving safety on the N11 between Junctions 10 and 11.
District councillors in Greystones and Wicklow were briefed on the plans at their monthly meetings in April, ahead of the scheme going before the full council for a vote in July.
The project, formally titled the N11 Kilpedder ‘Rat‑Run’ Road Safety Improvement Scheme, proposes a series of junction alterations, signage changes and traffic restrictions designed to prevent non‑local drivers diverting through Kilpedder village during peak congestion on the N11.
According to the briefing document, the scheme “responds to local concerns raised regarding rat running through the village of Kilpedder during heavy traffic flows on the N11” and aims to “remove traffic rat‑run through Kilpedder village”, while also providing a safer northbound cycle route that bypasses Junctions 10 and 11.
Traffic surveys carried out on March 10 show the scale of the issue. More than 1,000 vehicles used the Johnstown diverge during the morning peak, with similar volumes recorded at the Willow Grove merge.
Over a 24‑hour period, 1,515 vehicles were counted at the Johnstown diverge and 1,378 at Willow Grove. Councillors were told that the majority of this traffic is not local and that the route is being used as a shortcut to avoid congestion on the N11 mainline.
Senior engineer John Bowes, who presented the scheme, said the proposed changes would significantly reduce the incentive to divert through the village.
The plan includes closing or altering several substandard merge and diverge points, which the council says will improve safety on the N11 itself.
“The proposed scheme aims to improve safety for N11 traffic,” the briefing notes state, highlighting that the existing layout contains multiple conflict points.
A key element of the project is the creation of a northbound cycle route using an existing one‑way local road.
Vehicular access would be restricted to allow cyclists to bypass the N11 between Junctions 10 and 11.
The council says the measure responds to requests from local cycling groups, including Bray Wheelers, and will provide a safer alternative to navigating the busy junctions.
The scheme also proposes changes to the local bus route. While the service will be retained, it will be altered around Willow Grove, with one bus stop relocated and a new shelter foundation included in the plans.
Councillors raised concerns about the potential loss of the existing Willow Grove stop and the impact on residents who rely on it.
Access to Kilpedder itself will remain open, though some journeys will require short diversions. The council’s presentation shows that rerouting via the Kilpedder roundabout or Johnstown Avenue would add between one and three minutes to typical trips. Mr Bowes told councillors that these were “small disbenefits” compared with the overall safety gains.
Funding for the scheme is being provided by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Councillors were told that €100,000 has been allocated initially, with the full cost estimated at around €300,000. Most of the expenditure relates to signage, lining and traffic management measures rather than major construction.
The political response was broadly supportive at both meetings, though several councillors emphasised the need for community engagement.
Cllr Danny Alvey said the scheme was “very welcome” and noted that Google Maps actively directs drivers from Newtownmountkennedy through Kilpedder during peak times. Cllr John Snell said he was not surprised by the traffic volumes recorded and stressed the importance of considering the impact on local businesses, including the village shop and garage.
“It is a residential village at the end of the day,” he said, adding that the scheme would improve safety for cyclists at Junctions 10 and 11 while Cllr Shane Langrell said a community information event would be important to inform residents and businesses of the proposed changes.
Cllr Graham Richmond said he supported the proposal in principle but stressed that it was essential for the council to follow the full Part 8 process carefully before any final decision is made.
Cllr Stephen Stokes, chair of the council’s transport committee, said residents had long complained that drivers “use the village as if they are still on the N11” and stressed the importance of installing additional traffic calming measures near the local crèche.
The scheme is now open for public consultation. Plans can be inspected at County Buildings in Wicklow until May 28, and submissions can be made until June 12 2026 via email or the council’s online consultation hub. All submissions must be clearly marked ‘N11 Kilpedder ‘Rat‑Run’ Road Safety Improvement Scheme Part 8’.
Once the consultation closes, a chief executive’s report will be prepared for councillors, who will then decide whether to approve the scheme, approve it with modifications, or reject it entirely.
For now, the council says the proposal represents a balanced approach to improving safety on one of the county’s busiest transport corridors while addressing long‑standing concerns from Kilpedder residents.