‘Widespread unrest’ remains over future of Herbert Road N11 junction in Wicklow
The Wicklow PeopleA high-level meeting has taken 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 solutions that protect Herbert Road residents and maintain access to the town.
The meeting was attended by Tánaiste Simon Harris, Deputy Jennifer Whitmore, Deputy Edward Timmins, Deputy John Brady, officials from the Department of Transport, and officials from Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
During the meeting, TII officials outlined that their statutory role is to safeguard the public from dangerous roads and ensure that standards are maintained at a national level.
They explained that while part of the scheme is designed to provide a dedicated bus corridor, it is also essential that traffic movements for all road users are supported.
Officials acknowledged the widespread unrest caused by the proposals and confirmed that no scheme can progress without the approval of Wicklow County Council.
The primary objective of introducing a bus corridor in the area is to provide the hard shoulder as a running lane for buses only during peak traffic periods.
Several direct uncontrolled accesses to the N11, between Junctions 6 and 7, are being closed as part of the proposed scheme, with alternative access being provided via new links to the existing grade separated junctions. This is also intended to improve road safety for users of the N11/M11.
The Tánaiste emphasised the proposals which cut off Herbert Road from the town would have an unacceptable impact on residents and businesses.
“This was an important meeting given the overwhelming frustration in the community about the proposals put forward for the N11 upgrade.
“I want to thank officials for attending today’s meeting and for listening to the strong views expressed on behalf of residents.
“I am now asking to see detailed work carried out on alternatives that genuinely meet the needs of road users and the local community.
“There is a real sense that residents and public representatives are not being listened to. That must change.
“No decision can be taken until every effort is made to find a better approach.
“The next steps now is to meet with senior officials in Wicklow County Council and chief executive Emer O’Gorman."
The Tánaiste confirmed he will continue to keep residents updated directly on progress, as further discussions take place with TII and the Department.
Following the meeting Deputy Timmins highlighted the role TII have in approving the scheme.
"It must first come to them for decision via Wicklow County Council. In that respect, the council have a key role to play. Consequentially, we will now follow up with a meeting with the Executive of Wicklow County Council.
“Having been a Councillor for twenty years I am confident I can play a positive role in reaching a solution for the people of Bray through meaningful and collaborative negotiation with officials”.
Meanwhile Deputy Brady paid tribute to the efforts of local residents in highlighting the issue.
“The people of Bray have made themselves heard in a way that has literally stopped the CEO of TII in his tracks. That is something he admitted he has not seen before. That is a credit to the people of this town.”
It was also confirmed that €3 million of public money has already been spent on planning and consultancy fees for the N11 bus corridor.
Deputy Brady said this shows that the scheme is not viable.
“Three million euro of taxpayers’ money has already been blown, and yet not a single assessment has been carried out on what impact — if any — keeping Herbert Road open would have. Across the entire bus corridor network, cars are allowed to turn left onto adjoining roads, cutting across and entering through bus corridors. Allowing that on and off Herbert Road would certainly not be unprecedented — it is the accepted norm and would have minimal, if any, impact on the operation of a bus corridor."