N81 upgrade in west Wicklow at risk of facing further delays
'The N81 is the only national road out of Dublin that has never been upgraded,' Timmins said. 'This needs to be put into the national development plan, NDP. I ask that it be considered for inclusion in the new NDP.'
In response, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said several safety measures have already been introduced or are in the process of being delivered.
These include €400,000 in funding for a realignment project near Stratford-on-Slaney; appointment of technical advisers to progress the scheme through planning; traffic-calming works near Hollywood village; and smaller interventions at Blessington and Baltinglass.
Deputy Chambers confirmed that further decisions regarding the N81's inclusion in the new NDP would be made by Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien.
Minister O'Brien previously told Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady that the N81 Tallaght to Hollywood upgrade was not included among the projects identified in the updated NPD that was published in 2021.
'As such, until a full review takes place, the advancement of the proposed scheme cannot be accommodated in the National Roads Programme.'
The scheme was not included in projects identified in 2019 for development during the 2018-2027 period of the NDP, meaning it will face delays until at least 2027.
Meanwhile Baltinglass Municipal District Councillors have called on their fellow local representatives to lobby for the upgrading of the road along the preferred route.
Speaking during the July monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Avril Cronin said the council need to fight the corner of the people in west Wicklow and ensure that the N81 gets back on the agenda.
'Sometimes it feels like we are fighting a losing battle here and I would hope that we have the support of management and that a submission has also been made in relation to that review.'
'I along with Councillor Patsy Glennon are members of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and we put forward a submission to try and get the N81 back on the table. It's something that the six councillors in the Baltinglass Municipal District raised time and time again.'
Cllr Glennon echoed those sentiments calling on the council executive team to get behind it and get something moving on it.
'We get tired of listening about congestion on the N11. I know it is a big fact for lots of our colleagues here, but we don't seem to get fair traction for our problems out our side.'
In response, Wicklow County Council chief executive Emer O'Gorman said they will push for the upgrade to be included as part of the plan
'We have consulted with the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. We are very happy to support the submission and delighted to have it included and we will push for that inclusion as well ourselves. It is important. The N81 is a national primary route on paper and on paper alone so changes need to happen to it.'
'I think it is hugely important that the N81 is upgraded and brought to a standard that is reasonable, you know the same standard as the other national routes in the county.' she added.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
6 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
O'Leary describes Dublin Metrolink as 'a waste of money'
Michael O'Leary, Group Chief Executive of Ryanair Holdings, has described the proposed Metrolink rail service in Dublin - that would also serve Dublin Airport - as a waste of money. He likened the estimated €20 billion cost to "ten children's hospitals" and says the project is "completely uncosted." Mr O'Leary said the Government allocated in the National Development Plan €2bn "for just the tendering process". He said the cost of the 18km project works out at around €1bn per kilometre. "Dublin Airport doesn't need it, Dublin Airport passengers won't use it, they're already well served by buses," he said on RTÉ's Drivetime. He said contrary to popular belief, people using Dublin Airport are all not "going to St Stephen's Green". "90% per cent of the traffic is going to suburban Dublin and down the country. "They're very well served by the existing bus capacity, which counts for about 30% of Dublin's traffic." Mr O'Leary said the Tube in London delivers only 16% of the passenger traffic to Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, "and the Tube serves all of London". The "massively expensive" Metro, he said, will serve a "narrow corridor from Swords in through the airport in through Glasnevin, serving a couple of hundred thousand people". "And we are wasting billions of taxpayers money on a airport train that nobody is going to use and that we don't need," he said. He claimed that the Government "cannot be trusted," accusing it of already breaking an election promise that it would remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. He said no-one is willing to state publicly the likely eventual cost of Metrolink, which Mr O'Leary predicted will "easily exceed €20bn." He also accused Sean Sweeney, the New Zealander who was appointed Project Director of Metrolink last year, of "not knowing what he is talking about." Mr O'Leary said that a twentieth of the money - €100m - would pay for 400 buses which "do the same job" as the Metro, a project he said Ireland "cannot afford."
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I will ‘definitely not' run for presidency, says Taoiseach Micheal Martin as he discusses National Development Plan
TAOISEACH Michael Martin has said he will "definitely not" run for Irish presidency this year. Speaking to Morning Ireland Advertisement 2 Minister Peter Burke has been calling to cut VAT rate for the hospitality sector Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved Mr Martin said he was elected to "lead And an Asked if he would consider putting his name forward, Advertisement Read more in News "I have that obligation to the public. No disrespect to the presidency, but I gave commitments to the people that I will serve for the next five years and that's what I'm going to." There are a lot of names floating in association with Fianna Fiall in He added: "Party will consider that over the next number of weeks." Mr Martin also discussed the revised version of NDP which was announced yesterday with a total investment of €275.4 billion. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Latest It adds more than €40 billion for housing and water services, €22.3 billion for It also cited €2 billion to be delivered to Tetchy scenes in Dail as Micheal Martin accused of calling Mary Lou McDonald liar in Irish Mr Martin has explained that the money allocated to the NDP investments in the public sector comes from the government's projections of surpluses over the next number of years. He continued: "There is the additionality of €14 billion from the receipts from Advertisement "Now allocations have come from, it would be specifically dedicated to the metro which is clearly a climate infrastructural piece, because obviously the more people we can get on public transport the better in terms of climate. "I can't see KEY PRIORITIES The Government also promised to cut the VAT rate for the hospitality sector in the Mr Martin added: "Nothing yet is finalised in terms of the budget. Advertisement "We will be prioritising disability and we will be prioritising child poverty. "We will be targeting our measures and social protection to those most." Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke has been calling to cut VAT rate for the hospitality sector. The Minister said the cut is a "jobs measure to sustain employment" in the sector. Advertisement Speaking on RTE's "At this point in time, over 200,000 people are employed in it. It's a €9 billion sector. And it's so important to try and keep that sector sustainable. 'VIABILITY MEASURE' "This is a jobs measure to sustain the employment in that sector, which is critically important to me as Minister for "It is a viability measure, they are under significant pressure." Advertisement Mr Burke added: "We've had a lot of additionality from government, part of it over the last three years, in terms of regulatory requirements in the trajectory to a living wage and sick pay in so many areas that have put significant pressure on the sector and have reduced their margins. "We've pushed 90,000 jobs into the economy over the last 12 months. "And considering when we're at or about full employment, to put 90,000 extra households with additional income into them with more jobs is very significant." 2 Michael Martin has said he will 'definitely not' run for Irish presidency this year Credit: Collins Photos Advertisement
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Rumblings at Galway County Council as Fine Gael councillor insists he will only vote for party's candidate
The conversation was sparked by a suggestion to hold a special meeting to invite potential candidates to represent themselves and their agendas to the council. A sense of pride in the democratic process of the presidential election filled the chamber, as councillors reflected on the longstanding tradition of supporting candidates over the years — notably including their backing of Mary Davis in 2011 and Joan Freeman in 2018. Councillor Thomas Welby said: 'We have a power, and we shouldn't use it lightly.' For someone to be eligible for candidacy they must be nominated by at least 20 Oireachtas members or at least four local authorities. But also in the conversation was an unmoving opinion from Fine Gael County Councillor Jimmy McClearn as he told the elected members his party 'will vote against any candidate other than our own party'. This decision was made in an independent FG meeting 'under no pressure from anybody' he said. In response, councillors criticised the stance as 'anti-democratic,' arguing that inviting candidates to present to a council where some members have already made up their minds undermines the objectivity of the process. 'It wouldn't be fair on candidates where the two main blocks have decided on who they are voting for.' Independent councillor Shaun Cunniffe said. 'If it's a good candidate, why would we try and stop the campaign before it starts?' Cllr McClearn wanted to be 'crystal clear' about the plan of action for FG representatives in the chamber. ADVERTISEMENT 'With respect, I think we have been very honest and very clear about our situation, we will be voting against anyone who comes here looking for a nomination.' However, this doesn't mean a loss of respect should another candidate be backed by the council. 'We are democrats at the end of the day, and we will fully abide by the decision that's made at the end of the day.' Thus far, seven candidates have been in contact with the council since March requesting an opportunity to come before the council according to chief executive Liam Conneally. The council Corporate Policy Group (CPG) proposed the meeting which will likely be held in September. The suggestion states that each candidate will have 10 minutes before the elected members in order of surname, the meeting will then be adjourned for a short period for further discussion and consideration. A proposal was made and approved to prohibit representatives from speaking on behalf of candidates during the presentation. This marks a change from previous years, when family members or others were permitted to address the elected members on behalf of those running. The special meeting will likely have both an in-person and online option. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
