NTA fail to commit funding for large new Wicklow park and ride
The Wicklow PeopleThe National Transport Authority (NTA) are currently not able to confirm whether funding will be allocated to allow construction work start on a new park and ride facility in Ashford.
In a response received by Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to a parliamentary question, he was informed that due to insufficient funding, works will not commence as planned in 2026, and that construction may begin in 2027, at the earliest, subject to funding being made available.
The facility is due to be located to the west of M11 Junction 16 at Rossana Upper. The 210 planned parking spaces include 13 for mobility impaired users and 21 for charging of electric vehicles.
The project includes the construction of a new bus area that consists of two bus bays, two passenger shelters, and a designated turning circle. A new junction is proposed on the R772, incorporating a dedicated lane for right-turning traffic. The development also plans to incorporate paved areas for bike shelters and lockers, facilitating connections for active travel and ancillary works.
A flood risk assessment has been carried out and the site isn’t at risk of any substantial flooding. Seven submissions and observations were received during the public consultation period. Residents of Rosanna Close raised concerns over the Milltown Lane junction, however, it is felt the traffic impact at the junction will be neg.
In 2023, the NTA stated the project would be delivered by 2025, but that timeline failed to materialise. The project then went through a lengthy and thorough public consultation process in 2024 and was formally approved by the full Wicklow County Council in March 2025.
At that meeting, councillors were told that the facility would be delivered and operational by Q4 of 2026.
Deputy Brady challenged NTA deputy chief executive Hugh Cregan on the issue at a recent meeting of the Public Accounts Committee.
Mr Cregan was not able to confirm whether funding would be forthcoming.
“I was not at that council meeting, so I do not know what way it was phrased. Our funding is largely on an annual basis, so we needed to wait until Budget 2026 to know what our funding would be for 2026. We know that now.
“I will get it checked out. We will send the committee a note confirming what the position is. I do not know the exact way that commitment was phrased at that council meeting.” he added.
Deputy Brady said it was imperative that clarity is sought on the situation.
“We need clarity about the concerns of senior officials about the funding being delivered in Budget 2026. We need to see the minutes of those meetings. Those concerns, as revealed on foot of a freedom of information request, said that funding issues would have an impact on the delivery of new services in 2026. I fear that the park and ride site in Wicklow and the roll-out of the Local Link 199 route are caught up in that.
“Both examples concern my constituency, but the issue is broader and spans the State. Therefore, I request a full note from the Department and the NTA on the discussions. We need the details of what routes are caught up in this.
“We need to know what additional new services are caught up, or potentially caught up, in this process.” he added.
The future of the park and ride facility was also raised at the January monthly meeting when Cllr Shane Langrell sought assurances that efforts would be made to progress the project.
Director of services Joe Lane indicated the delay is solely funding related.
“The county council will continue to undertake detailed design, and we will progress to the tender for construction, and we will continue to explore other avenues regarding funding. There are no delays currently regarding the progress of the scheme.”
In response Cllr Paul O’Brien said it was encouraging to hear that work is still ongoing behind the scenes.
“Several months ago, we had a meeting with our Oireachtas members in the chamber in Wicklow facilitated by our Cathaoirleach and since then we have had a flurry of bad news in relation to the town and Municipal District from a couple of these Oireachtas members.
“So, I am delighted to hear the director saying that there is no delay on the park and ride in Ashford.” he added.
Most trips currently using the N11/M11 corridor during peak times are taken by single occupancy car commuters who occupy a high proportion of road space per person compared with the equivalent space occupied per person travelling on public transport.
The park and ride location was identified as an intervention point on the N11/M11 corridor for transferring a portion of these single-occupancy car trips to public transport.