Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has confirmed that he will attend a meeting this Thursday, 21st August, with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Minister for Transport regarding the future of the Herbert Road in Bray.
Deputy Brady had asked that this meeting be facilitated as soon as possible, due to the unease and worry the plans have caused amongst local residents and business owners. He said this meeting is another vital opportunity to express his outright opposition to what he described as an “illogical and damaging decision”:
“The closure of Herbert Road would have a deeply negative impact on residents and the wider Bray community. I will use this meeting to give voice to the concerns of local people, who would be most directly affected by this proposal. The Herbert Road is one of the four main arteries into Bray, and its closure simply cannot be justified. I remain firmly committed to keeping Herbert Road open.”
The Wicklow TD said that while he welcomed the opportunity for dialogue, ultimate responsibility cannot be shifted onto state agencies.
“It is vital that Transport Infrastructure Ireland is properly briefed by TDs and that it fully engages on this issue. But let us be absolutely clear—TII does not set policy; it implements and adheres to national policy. That policy is determined by the government. Therefore, clear direction must come from the Minister for Transport and from this government, particularly in respect of the N11 and the situation at Herbert Road. Responsibility cannot, and must not, be abdicated”.
Brady added that the local community is deeply worried about the consequences of losing such a vital access route, and that those concerns must be front and centre at Thursday’s meeting.
“For many residents, the Herbert Road is not just another street, it is an essential access point for schools, businesses, emergency services, and daily commuting. Closing it would force more traffic onto already congested routes, create safety issues, and add to the gridlock that people in Bray live with every day. The people of Bray deserve better than being left in limbo by a government that has failed to listen.”
Deputy Brady concluded by reiterating his determination to oppose the plan:
“I will continue to oppose this illogical plan every step of the way, and I will continue to stand with the people of Bray who know how essential the Herbert Road is for local traffic, for connectivity, and for daily life in the town. This issue is not going away, and neither am I.”