Traffic to and from Dublin ‘never as bad’
A MOTION by Cllr Malcolm Byrne calling for the expansion of the M11 M50 in North Wicklow and south Dublin to three lanes and for Transport infrastructure Ireland to develop a comprehensive plan, involving public and private transport, to improve commuting travel times between the counties of Wexford and Wicklow and Dublin, was supported.
Cllr Byrne aid the motion will also be forwarded to the councils of Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and South Dublin.
‘It has never been as bad as it is now,’ Cllr Byrne said.
‘Snice I tabled this motion the TII said they will be conducting a study about possible upgrades. We have to look at this in light of the rail issue. This is a critical piece of infrastructure for this county. If the problem with the M50 and M11 continues the possibility of attracting business into the county because of 90 minute travel times from Dublin Airport changes.’
He said bottle necks are lengthening travel times, describing the situation as critical.
‘We need to cooperate with our neighbouring local authorities.’
Cllr Robbie Ireton seconded the motion, calling for a new outer ring road to be built around Dublin to alleviate traffic congestion.
‘At this stage by the time everything goes through we certainly would be in line for it. I come out of Dublin most Friday evenings and it’s horrific what is coming out of it. ‘
Cllr Ireton said patients travelling to St Vincent’s Hospital need to leave County Wexford at 5.45 a.m. to be there in time for their appointments.
Some councillors, including Cllr Deirdre Wadding, questioned the need for an outer ring road, adding that it would be tremendously costly.
Cllr Wadding said: ‘ They have already taken a chunk out of the Glen of the Downs. It’s also contradictory to be asking people to use public transport while talking about building more roads.’
Cllr Michael Sheehan said: ‘It makes absolutely no sense environmentally to have traffic sitting on the motorway.’
The motion was passed.