Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has today confirmed that he has written to the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, requesting that he facilitate a meeting between the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, the four Wicklow TDs and a delegation of local residents regarding the closure of the Herbert Road in Bray.
This follows an exchange in the Dáil where the Minister of State Seán Canney refused to answer whether he would meet with a delegation on the matter, when asked by Deputy Brady.
Speaking today, Deputy Brady said:
“The closure of the Herbert Road will have a hugely negative impact on local residents and businesses. It is completely unacceptable that their voices were not heard during the National Transport Authority’s consultation process. This is an important measure in the democratic process and seems to have been a ‘tick-the-box’ exercise. This road is one of four vital arteries into the town, and any closure will create chaos for the local community”.
Deputy Brady highlighted the parallels with the previously proposed N11 upgrade, which was then scrapped by then Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, despite having reached the same phase of planning.
“The N11 upgrade was halted for ideological reasons by Minister Ryan during the last government’s term. This shows that the Minister has the authority to halt the closure of the Herbert Road. We cannot allow decisions of this scale to be made without meaningful engagement with the people who will be most affected”.
Deputy Brady is calling for a delegation of local residents and businesses to be given the opportunity to meet directly with the Minister for Transport and outline their concerns.
“I have written to Tánaiste Simon Harris and asked him to use his position to ensure that the voices of the people of Bray are heard at the highest level. Simon Harris has said publicly that he is opposed to the closure of the road – and it is imperative he now acts on these words. I sincerely hope that Minister Darragh O’Brien and the other Wicklow TDs will engage constructively with the local community on this important issue”.
