Brady says that the decision to keep the Herbert Road junction open must be taken before the General Election.
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady responded to publication of the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme, Post Consultation Report by repeating his opposition to plans to close the N11 access road to Herbert Road. Having led out on the campaign to prevent the closure of the junction with a local petition that received 1,853 signatories, along with a personal submission, Brady is adamant that attempts to kick decision making on the closure of the Herbert Road junction to touch until after the general election will not deter those opposed to the Council’s plans.
Deputy Brady said:
“I am reaffirming my complete opposition to the proposal outlined in the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme to close the N11 access road to Herbert Road in Bray. This proposal is deeply flawed and poses a serious threat to the overall traffic management and connectivity of Bray.
The Herbert Road junction is a critical artery for local traffic, and its closure would have catastrophic consequences for the town’s infrastructure. I led the campaign to prevent this closure, and I am proud that nearly 2,000 people signed a local petition I set up in opposition to the plan, with hundreds more making formal submissions against it. The impact of closing this junction cannot be overstated.
Bray has only four key junctions connecting the town to the N11/M11 and removing one of them will inevitably lead to increased pressure and congestion at the remaining three. This would result in severe traffic gridlock, not just for residents but for anyone traveling in and out of Bray.
Local businesses would also suffer, as accessibility to the town is crucial for economic activity. The proposed closure is a short-sighted measure that fails to consider the long-term implications for the people of Bray and its surrounding areas. What makes this situation even more frustrating is the cynical decision by the authorities to delay the final decision on this closure until 2025, conveniently after the next general election. This is clearly an attempt to avoid the political consequences of an unpopular decision.
Everyone in the community knows how disruptive this closure would be, and kicking the can down the road does nothing to address the serious concerns of the people who will be affected. It is disingenuous to postpone such a critical decision, leaving the community in limbo, while the future of this vital junction remains uncertain.
I am calling on the government and the Minister for Transport to take immediate action and abandon this misguided proposal before the upcoming general election. A decision on such an important matter cannot be delayed any longer. The people of Bray deserve clarity and common sense when it comes to traffic and transport planning, not decisions that will create chaos.
The government must listen to the voices of the thousands of people that signed petitions and made submissions opposing the crazy plans. This closure must be stopped now, and a sensible traffic management plan must be implemented to support, not harm, Bray’s future.”
For more information contact: Deputy John Brady
