Wicklow County Council commits to keeping Herbert Road N11 junction open to traffic
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has made a commitment to keep the Herbert Road southbound exit from the N11 in Bray open to traffic.
In a statement local authority officials stated they accept 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 just a day after a high-level meeting took place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and senior officials from the Department of Transport where the future of the Herbert Road/N11 junction in Bray was discussed.
The meeting, which was convened in Government Buildings, provided an opportunity for local public representatives to highlight the need for transport chiefs to find other solutions that protect Herbert Road residents and maintain access to the town.
TII officials acknowledged the widespread unrest caused by the proposals and confirmed that no scheme can progress without the approval of Wicklow County Council.
The council will continue to engage with all stakeholders during the upcoming design phase of the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme.
Following the publication of the Phase 2 Options Selection Report in April, technical consultants will be appointed to help move the scheme forward through Phase 3 and 4 of the TII Project Management Guidelines.
TII approval is expected in the coming days, with Phase 3 design work 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.
Consultants will be asked to keep the Herbert Road southbound left-in exit from the N11 open to traffic use as a minimum measure, and in the absence of an acceptable feasible alternative option,
Reacting to the news Cllr Erika Doyle said this doesn’t mean this is the end of the campaign.
“Wicklow County Council has decided, at the very least, to keep southbound access to the Herbert Road from the N11 open.
“The final design has not yet been decided, but due to public pressure, at the very minimum, access will be kept open for vehicular use to the Herbert Road from the N11.
“We await further updates. The council has committed to continuing dialogue with all stakeholders.
“Credit goes to the campaigners for their persistence in making their voices heard.” she added.
Meanwhile Cllr Caroline Winstanley paid tribute to those who shared their views and made sure local needs were heard.
"This reflects the strong voices of our community.”