Gridlock fears as development gets green light
ISSUE HIGHLIGHTED AS 36 HOUSES GET THE GREEN LIGHT
THERE are concerns that a new housing development which has been granted planning permission on the Greenhill Road could cause traffic gridlock.
Last week members of Wicklow Municipal District voted in favour of the development of a 36 housing development in the area but raised serious concerns about the traffic in the area, particularly along the junction at the bottom of the road close to Bethlehem School.
Cllr Paul O’Brien said: ‘The junction at the bottom of the Greenhill Road is a major concern for me. I would still have worries even if these houses weren’t going up. It’s already a very busy road, especially with the Bethlehem School located near there.
‘I know of one parent who was nearly run down recently bringing their child to school.’
THE elected members of Wicklow Municipal District voted unanimously in favour of a Part 8 development of 36 houses at Greenhill Road.
The proposed scheme includes 12 two-bed houses and 24 three-bed houses on a 1.5 hectares site. The initial plan was for 45 units but that was scaled back to 36. Forty-six submissions were made on the Part 8, resulting in some amendments, including some changes to the frontage onto the main road.
While all the District Councillors supported the planned development, concerns were raised at last week’s district meeting over the amount of traffic already using the Greenhill Road, particularly the buildup at the bottom of the junction during school opening and closing times.
Cllr Paul O’Brien said: ‘The junction at the bottom of the Greenhill Road is a major concern for me. I would still have worries even if these houses weren’t going up. It’s already a very busy road, especially with the Bethlehem School located near there. I know of one parent who was nearly run down recently bringing their child to school.’
Cllr Gail Dunne was in agreement. ‘The traffic at the bottom of the road is terrible. There are two schools there and it can be nearly impossible to get down at times,’ he said.
Cllr Mary Kavanagh expected the problem to get worse.
‘There is also a GAA pitch planned to go up there to put even more pressure on the road.’
Cllr Kavanagh also hoped views from the ‘scenic’ car park at the top of Greenhill Road wouldn’t be spoiled by the development. However, she was reassured that height restrictions and the sloping nature of the site wouldn’t have any impact the views from the car park.
Cllr John Snell said: ‘The reality is this isn’t high density for the land up there. The topography of the site is difficult but it still leaves landscapes so everyone can enjoy the beautiful view. I share concerns over the road layout. The primary focus for me is the delivery of units for people on the housing list. The town is getting bigger and the population is growing all the time.’
Cllr Irene Winters also said that the bottom of the Greenhill Road at the junction presented the biggest problem, and proposed that the Roads Department of Wicklow County Council look into safety measures which could improve the junction.
‘Three times I have asked for a safety audit to be carried out on the junction and it was never produced. You cross the road blind because of parking and the ESB poll. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is – it is a dangerous junction. It’s going to become more and more dangerous and now is the time to get it properly addressed. The council need to look at that junction, in conjunction with the plans, on how to make it safe,’ said Cllr Winters.