Redford Park Junction Redesign Wrong – Mitchell

Up the junction…

atest press release from Cllr Derek Mitchell, issued on Thursday, April 14th 2022…

Wicklow County Council told local Greystones councillors about a planned redesign of Redford Park junction.

Their priority for the junction was to make it better for cyclists in particular and walkers. The priority should be for bus transport recognising it is the main access road for the town of 20,000 people which has the highest commuter load of any town in Wicklow.

The plan will create congestion for buses and traffic reducing the attractiveness of buses, especially express buses.

From 7am to 8am, the morning peak hour, there are 6 84X and 4 others, making 10 bus services. Previously I counted the bus passengers at Lidl on the 84X at 240, as well as a significant number also heading to go to school.

Journey Duration
The 84x is listed at 70 minutes, an increase on a decade earlier. The other buses are listed at 90 minutes. Aircoach is listed at 83 minutes but can take longer – a substantial increase from when it started and went via the toll bridge. These are very long journey times and only the 84X is competitive with cars. They need to be encouraged, especially here and all the way to the N11 if they are to attract more people out of their cars.

There is a need to encourage cycling, especially for those going to school, but also work and the Dart. Few people are going to cycle to work over Bray Head however and bus use is much more effective at reducing cars. Buses must be given more priority here.

Stops
The plan is to stop buses in the single straight on bus/car carriageway. The road is very busy and a lot of people getting on/off can result in long stops. The stops are opposite each other creating further jams. A previous design had a left and bus lane and stop northbound. There seems room for a pull in bus stop southbound.

A decade ago consultants wanted to stop buses in the main carriageway at Greystones station but councillors said no. That would have created major congestion.

I note that a new design for Rock Road in Booterstown has a car lane and a separate bus and left turn lane. That is required here.