O’Connor expresses concern at the snail’s pace progress on implementation of M11/N11 corridor report
Labour’s Dáil Candidate for Wicklow, Jack O’Connor, has expressed his real concern over the lack of any meaningful progress on the much-needed M11/N11 improvement works. “I am deeply disappointed and really concerned with the snail’s pace of progress since the M11/N11 Corridor Study Report was published back in April 2017”, said Jack O’Connor.
“Following representations made to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, it has been confirmed by TII that this scheme has been included amongst a number of major national road schemes ‘for progression through pre-appraisal and early planning during 2018’. TII further confirmed that €300,000 has been provided to procure consultants for the preparation of the preliminary works. However, enquiries made to Wicklow County Council have resulted in the Council saying that they cannot provide a completion date for the entire project. This is another cause of concern as Wicklow people currently suffering from commuter misery can see no light at the end of the tunnel.
“The Wicklow Labour Party believes that there is no ‘Roads Only’ solution to traffic congestion. The solution must take an integrated approach which includes rail, bus and cycle options. For example, we have all heard complaints from train users that the buses outside the Bray railway station often departs just as the DART gets in and they are forced to wait, often in the rain and dark, for the next bus. There seems to be no joined-up thinking between Dublin Bus and Irish Rail. It has to be acknowledged that the National Transport Authority announced recently it intends to provide a Bus Rapid Transit from Bray to the City Centre but again we are in the dark as to when this will be done with the NTA saying that the new schemes will be completed by 2027.
“We are very concerned on the impact that traffic congestion is having on families in County Wicklow. The stress that commuters suffer when they are stuck in traffic jams every morning and evening puts a huge toll on their physical and mental health. Parents with young families have to put their children into creches very early in the morning until late in the evening because of their long commute to work. The impact this has on family life is enormous and Wicklow residents should be given a clear picture of what the proposed improvements entail, when the works will commence, what impact these works will have on commuters, and, most importantly, when the scheme will be finished.
“To this end, the Wicklow Labour Party is launching an online petition to the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Wicklow County Council demanding that the remedial works recommended in the M11/N11 Corridor Study Report, published in April 2017, be carried out immediately. Residents in County Wicklow can sign the petition online by going to www.jackoconnor.ie/