Delgany Spared New N11 Corridor

Latest press release from Jennifer Whitmore TD, issued on Wednesday, December 16th 2020…

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed progress of Phase 2 of the M11/N11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 Improvement Scheme.

However, Deputy Whitmore says Government must commit to funding for the remaining phases of the scheme. A final decision on the preferred route will be made in the second quarter of next year.

Speaking on the issue, Deputy Whitmore says “while they are still considering various options for upgrading the N11, I am encouraged that progress has been made on Phase 2, however it has been made clear that funding has only been committed for Phases 1-4 without any commitment from Government for the remaining phases. Phase 4 will bring it up to the planning stage but not the actual development of the upgrade Scheme.

“I believe it is vital that Government ensure that funding has been identified for the construction of the Scheme. What we don’t want is another plan that just sits on the shelf somewhere without being implemented. The Government must also commit to ensuring a significant investment in public transport is carried out. Our focus now must be on reducing car dependency over the widening and building of new roads for cars.

“The preferred routes have been narrowed down to a red and cyan [light blue] corridor option with an underground tunnel for consideration at the Glen of the Downs site, all of which will be still under examination before a final decision is made next year. It is positive that those residents living adjacent to the other route options identified late last year are now no longer in limbo which I welcome.

“However, ongoing public consultation will be crucial as the Scheme progresses and I hope that this continues at each stage of the Scheme.

“I will continue to make the case that this upgrade should primarily focus on the inclusion of a bus lane and the provision of sufficient public transport to reduce car dependency in the area. There is little point in just widening roads and adding more lanes without making them public transport only. It has been demonstrated all over the world that new roads will just fill with new cars. It does not solve the problem.

“The only sustainable solution is to ensure that bus and carpooling lanes are provided, with park ’n rides at junctions along the route which I hope will be considered as part of this scheme.”

Main pic: Tony Brierton