Motorcyclist dies in fatal crash on ‘dangerous’ N81

THE death of a motorcyclist on the N81 has led to renewed calls for safety works along what is considered one of Ireland’s most dangerous stretches of road.

A Polish man died on Sunday following a horrific collision on the N81 in Poluaphouca. The fatal crash involved a motorcycle and a car and occurred at around 3.30 p.m. in the afternoon. A second motorcyclist, who was a friend of the deceased, was taken by ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital suffering from injuries which weren’t considered too serious.

The driver of the car was uninjured.

Forensic Collision Investigators were at the scene and the road remained closed for a number of hours with diversions in place.

The motorcyclist who died was a visitor and didn’t live in County Wicklow.

Research carried out by Gamma Location Intelligence and released in September revealed that the N81 was the most dangerous major road in the county with a collision rate of 76.

Cllr Edward Timmins feels the N81 has been neglected for far too long.

‘I pass on my commiserations to the family of deceased. At the moment resurfacing works are taking place along the N81 north of Blessington at a cost of €1.1 million. I feel it wasn’t necessary. There was no consultation with the local communities or local representatives. There are far better ways of spending that €1.1 million. It could have been spent far better further south of Hollywood by doing some road widening and safety improvements. I feel we are constantly being ignored and treated with contempt.’

Cllr Gerry O’Neill is calling for a meeting between Transport Minister Shane Ross and the elected members of Baltinglass Municipal District.

‘My thoughts are with the man’s friends and family after another tragedy on the N81. We need a serious discussion with the Minister about the N81. It can’t be kicked down the road any further. Now Transport Infrastructure Ireland are saying the agreed route for the N81 Hollywood to Tallaght Improvement Scheme could be changed following the review planned for 2027. €7 million has already been spent on the plan. As it stands you have 300-metre strip where all the land has been frozen. Now the TII seem to be indicating that they might freeze a different stretch after 2027.’