Tánaiste not responding to Wicklow County Council over N11 junction closure opposition
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The chief executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O' Gorman has been asked to review a decision that will see the closure of the Herbert Road Junction in Bray.
There has been widespread opposition to the proposals, which form part of the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme.
Residents protesting the move recently assembled at the sod turning on the new Fassaroe Park and Ride Facility to hand deliver a letter to the chief executive asking her to keep a promise that she would raise their concerns with the Tánaiste Simon Harris and Transport Minister Darragh O' Brien.
Following a question from Cllr Joe Behan at the June meeting of Wicklow County Council, Ms O'Gorman indicated she had written to both the Tánaiste and Mr O'Brien with no response.
'All I have gotten is an acknowledgment from the Department of Transport, from the minister's office, nothing further by way of correspondence.'
Cllr Melanie Corrigan highlighted the 'huge' public concern that exists around the proposed closure and called on council officials to explore other options to facilitate a bus corridor along the route.
Responding to Cllr Corrigan, Ms O' Gorman said they are currently preparing tender documents for phase three of the scheme.
'As part of that process, as part of the brief, we want the consultants to further assess and examine alternatives to the Herbert Road that's currently set out as part of the preferred option. So that will be written in to the new tender document that will be going out shortly.'
Speaking after the meeting, a spokesperson for Mr Harris stressed that the Tánaiste 'has made his position on keeping Herbert Road open very clear'.
They added: 'He met in person with the residents' group last Tuesday at Kilbride Church, where he reaffirmed his commitment to opposing the closure.
'He also agreed to arrange a meeting between Herbert Road residents and Minister O'Brien.
'Chief executive Emer O'Gorman recently confirmed, in the Wicklow Council chamber, that she has been contacted weekly by the Tánaiste's office regarding the issue.'
In addition, the Tánaiste has sent more than 3,000 letters to local residents about the Herbert Road. He has also previously written to the Transport Minister about his opposition to this closure.
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