Latest news with #WicklowCountyCouncil
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Traffic disruption expected in Wicklow amid road works and Bray Air Display closures
In the Arklow Municipal District, resurfacing works on the L-5655-0 Kilmacrea Pass and the L-5163 Templelyon commence this morning, with localised traffic management arrangements in place. Meanwhile, in the west of the county, surfacing works will commence on the L43655 Quarry Road in Ballyknockan this morning, and are estimated to continue for four days. The works will require traffic management and, as a consequence of limited road widths, vehicular access to individual properties will be restricted during working hours. No local access will be available on Tuesday (July 29) or Wednesday, but pedestrian access to properties will be maintained at all times. Also in the Baltinglass Municipal District, roadworks as part of the N81 Hollywood Cross Rural Traffic Calming Road Safety Improvement Scheme will continue. The essential road safety works are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. During the completion of the works, it will be necessary to make amendments to the existing road layout through the installation of temporary traffic management measures. Finally, a series of road closures will take place this Saturday, from 10 am to 9 pm, to facilitate the Bray Air Display, including Strand Road and Harbour Road for the duration, Quinsborough Road and Florence Road east of Adelaide Road, Albert Avenue, Station Road, Seapoint Road, Sidmonton Avenue, Victoria Avenue, Convent Avenue and Putland Road east of the railway. Access to the closed roads will be available for pedestrians and emergency services only, with no alternative vehicle access to the seafront area of Bray available. Traffic management will be under the control of An Garda Siochána and mitigation barriers will be in place for the duration of the event. On-street parking will not be allowed on the closed roads from 7am on Saturday, and no parking will be permitted for the entire length of Putland Road and Seapoint Road, which are emergency access routes for the air display. Vehicle towing will be in place from 7am under the direction of An Garda Siochána. 'Visitors to Bray during the Bray Air Display are advised to use public transport,' a Wicklow County Council spokesperson said. 'Extra transport services are being provided. Anyone intending to drive should pre-book a car space early online at the official event car parks while spaces are still available.'
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
EU project to focus on Wicklow river's ability to slow down water flow
Wicklow County Council, in partnership with the Wicklow Uplands Council, the East Wicklow Rivers Trust and LAWPRO, has been selected to participate in the project, which aims to improve how Europe manages water, land and climate risks, as one of eight associated regions, chosen from over 70 applications. Each participating region will develop strategies to implement sponge measures - nature-based solutions that help retain water, reduce flood and drought risks and restore ecosystems. Wicklow's project specifically focuses on restoring the upper Aughrim River's ability to slow down water flow. The SpongeWorks team in Wicklow look forward to collaborating with landowners in the upper Aughrim River catchment and the Aughrim community to identify opportunities and co-create solutions that will benefit everyone involved. Wicklow is the only region from Ireland selected for this project and will collaborate with areas from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Spain, Ukraine and Montenegro. All participating regions will work together, sharing knowledge and building mutual capacity. The goal is to implement sponge measures that can be scaled up, supported by new tools for their execution and the inclusion of sponge strategies into local governance and planning. SpongeWorks is a leading initiative in Horizon Europe for nature-based climate adaptation, bringing together 28 partners and 23 knowledge institutions. The project is focused on developing practical, scalable solutions for the implementation of sponge measures, addressing key issues related to effectiveness, financing, governance and stakeholder engagement. The name 'SpongeWorks' reflects the capacity of our soils and habitats' ability to absorb excess rainfall like a sponge. Sponge measures aim to protect and enhance the landscape's capacity to absorb rainfall, releasing it more slowly back into our rivers. Wicklow County Council chief executive Emer O'Gorman stated that the Aughrim River project will strengthen partnerships in addressing the challenges of building climate resilience in our river catchments. 'This initiative will lead to reduced flooding, improved water quality, soil protection and restoration of biodiversity,' she said. 'Better water retention in the uplands will also ensure a reliable water supply throughout the year.'
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Fundraiser launched to fund sailing voyage from Wicklow to Wales for 12 youths
Supported by County Wicklow Partnership, SSE Renewables, Wicklow County Council, The Vault Youth Centre, Arklow Sailing Club, and Marine Healthfoods Ltd, the 'Celtic Tide' voyage will see 12 people aged 13 to 17 years make their maiden voyage across the Irish Sea, sailing for 16 hours from Arklow Harbour to its twinned town of Aberystwyth. To raise funds for the experience, which builds confidence, teamwork, resilience, and leadership, participants have set a goal of collecting €1,200 before the end of July, with all donations made via their fundraising page entered into a raffle with spot prizes donated by local supporters. Having spearheaded the initiative, councillor Peir Leonard has appealed to the public to support the once-in-a-lifetime trip via donations or by contributing raffle prizes. 'The young people involved, who will sail the ship under the guidance of the great team at Sail Training Ireland, are holding a raffle with some great prizes,' she said. 'If anyone has any unused gifts or vouchers that they would like to donate to the raffle, please get in touch.' To help fund the trip, visit or scan the QR code on Cllr Leonard's Facebook page.
Irish Independent
22-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
53 social homes to be part of historic Wicklow home redevelopment
The architects, Michael Stack and Emma Hickey, first presented the proposals for the 53 homes to the January meeting of Bray Municipal District. They are to be created across three blocks – nine three-storey town houses, with another 44 apartments in two separate blocks of 20 and 24 homes. In total, the plans are for a mix of 21 one-beds, 23 two-beds and nine three-beds, with Rockbrae House itself to become a five-storey building. The heights across the development will vary, with the lowest on the southside stepping from three to five storeys, and a playground is included in the development as it is over 50 units. There will be a total of 33 car parking spaces, including one for each of the three-beds. The Gothic-style two-storey house was first built in the 1870s on lands leased from the Pembroke Estate. The Defence Forces took ownership of the site following the outbreak of World War II and subsequently became the headquarters of the FCA. In 2005, when the FCA was amalgamated into the Reserves, the facility fell into disrepair and became derelict. The site was also subject to an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour. Following years of prolonged negotiations, it was finally handed over to the local authority in 2022. A fire gutted the building in April 2023, and, at the November meeting of the district last year, the council announced its intention to build homes on it for social housing, in an effort to address the growing housing needs in the town. After a preliminary examination, Wicklow County Council has concluded there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development. Therefore, an environmental impact assessment is not required. A screening of the proposed development has also taken place, with Wicklow County Council determining that it would not be likely to have a significant effect on a European site. Work has also taken place into clearing the site, with new fencing erected and cameras installed. Submissions or observations may be made in writing to David Porter, Administrative Officer, Capital Projects Office of Wicklow County Council on or before 12 noon Friday, August 22, 2025. Submissions and observations should be clearly marked 'Rockbrae House Part 8'. Submissions may also be made by email to part8@
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
N81 upgrade in west Wicklow at risk of facing further delays
Fine Gael TD Edward Timmins highlighted a range of studies which have identified the N81 as 'one of the most dangerous roads in the country.' He outlined to the chamber that a preferred route option for an upgrade had been selected but was shelved in 2018 and called for its reinstatement in the upcoming National Development Plan (NDP). '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
