Transport chiefs to meet over future of Herbert Road N11 junction in Wicklow

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady is to attend a meeting with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Transport Minister Darragh O’ Brien this Thursday, August 21 regarding the future of the Herbert Road in Bray.

Following a meeting in July between Wicklow Oireacthas members and the Transport Minister, a team of consultants were appointed to consider the next steps.

At that meeting in Government Buildings, the Tánaiste Simon Harris stressed the need for Herbert Road to remain open and that the “ill-thought-out proposals” for a closure should be “ditched once and for all”.

In response, Minister O’Brien confirmed that he would write to Wicklow County Council to formally outline the views, concerns, and opposition shared by both the Tánaiste and local Oireachtas members during the meeting.

Deputy Brady had asked that a follow up meeting with TII be facilitated as soon as possible, due to the unease and worry the plans have caused amongst residents and business owners.

He said this meeting is another vital opportunity to express his outright opposition to what he described as an “illogical and damaging decision”:

Residents have highlighted through a series of protests and demonstrations in recent months the negative effect the closure would have on the local community in Bray.

The Herbert Road is one of the four main arteries into the town and many residents believe its closure to make way for a bus corridor in the area cannot be justified. They believe closing it would force more traffic onto already congested routes and create safety issues in the town centre.

Deputy Brady said that while he welcomed the opportunity for dialogue, ultimate responsibility cannot be shifted onto state agencies.

“TII does not set policy; it implements and adheres to national policy. That policy is determined by the government. Therefore, clear direction must come from the Minister for Transport and from this government, particularly in respect of the N11 and the situation at Herbert Road. Responsibility cannot, and must not, be abdicated.”

Brady said the local community is worried about the consequences of losing the access route, and that those concerns must be front and centre at Thursday’s meeting.

“For many residents, the Herbert Road is not just another street, it is an essential access point for schools, businesses, emergency services, and daily commuting.

“I will continue to oppose this illogical plan every step of the way, and I will continue to stand with the people of Bray who know how essential the Herbert Road is for local traffic, for connectivity, and for daily life in the town.

"This issue is not going away anytime soon.” he added.