Tender approved for N11 bus corridor design as Herbert Road row reignites
The Wicklow PeopleTransport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has decided to approve a tender for the design of a bus corridor on the hard shoulder of the N11 in Bray, which is the main reason why the closure of Herbert Road has been proposed.
The proposed change forms part of the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme, which was first launched in 2020 with aims of providing bus corridors along the route in north Wicklow, in advance of the more comprehensive scheme between Junction 4 and Junction 14.
The corridors would allow buses and coaches to avoid severely congested traffic lanes during the peak traffic periods, whilst remaining as hard shoulders during off peak hours of the day. The project requires many interventions along the route “to address congestion, substandard layouts and junction geometry”.
One such intervention proposed closing the Herbert Road in Bray to through traffic, although that received widespread backlash from the local community with several protests and demonstrations taking place in the area over the summer.
In August 2025 council officials made a commitment to keep the Herbert Road southbound exit from the N11 in Bray open to traffic.
At the time Wicklow County Council chief executive Emer O’Gorman accepted the clear public sentiment regarding the Herbert Road/N11 access and its proposed closure to make way for a bus corridor in the area.
The move came after a high-level meeting between TII and senior officials from the Department of Transport where the future of the Herbert Road/N11 junction in Bray was discussed.
TII officials acknowledged the widespread unrest caused by the proposals and confirmed that no scheme can progress without the approval of Wicklow County Council.
During the local authority’s January monthly meeting Cllr Joe Behan expressed hope the right steps would be taken to halt the closure of the junction.
“The latest version of the Chief Executive's Report states that the tender for the beginning of the design of that bus corridor has not been signed or accepted yet which gives me hope that maybe there's a chance that this whole issue will be revisited, the possible extension of the entire scheme from Loughlinstown to Ashford.”
However, in response director of services Joe Lane confirmed tenders have been signed to move the project to the next stage.
“We got TII sign off on the appointment of technical consultants. That was received on December 18. Appointment for phases three and four will be made shortly.”
Phase 3 design work is expected to take up to two years to complete.
The options still left to be considered include;
A one-way link road from Herbert Road southward to Junction 7 (L5019 Ballywaltrim Lane).
A one-way link road extending from Dargle Lane (with link road to Junction 6) to Herbert Road and southward to Junction 7 (L5019 Ballywaltrim Lane).
A one-way Segregated Service Road (Southbound) connecting Junction 6 to Junction 7.
A one-way Segregated Service Road (Southbound) from Herbert Road Junction to Junction 7.
Cllr Behan said the move is concerning for residents in the area.
“This is very disappointing news and means the plan is going to the next stage despite all the assurances by Government leaders.”
“We cannot let this happen. We must keep Herbert Road open.” he added.