Wheelers object to road works
BRAY Wheelers Cycling Club has said that a road scheme planned for Kilmacanogue may be dangerous for cyclists.
The group made a submission to Wicklow County Council opposing the scheme, during the public consultation phase of the Part 8 process last June.
The works will provide a parallel service road on the N11 from 600 metres before the junction so that traffic for the junction and petrol station will leave there. Traffic exiting the commercial premises will only be allowed rejoin the service road.
The works were approved at a full meeting of Wicklow County Council in July.
A statement from the club last week said: ‘Bray Wheelers concerns for cyclists and also pedestrians between junction 7 and junction 8 were not addressed and no amendments to the plans were made.
‘We have only just been made aware of this. No feedback was received from Wicklow County Council.’
Bray Wheelers said in their statement that the stretch of road is ‘Cycle Route B7’ in their Greater Dublin Cycle Network Plan.
‘ There will be no footpath or cycle lane for anybody wishing to access Kilmacanogue safely without the use of a vehicle, especially during the dangerous construction stage,’ read the statement.
‘Bray Wheelers are concerned for the safety of all vulnerable road users by excluding such basic infrastructure as pedestrian footpaths and a cycle lane/hard shoulder.
‘As this is the main access route to County Wicklow for the growing cycling community in south Dublin/North Wicklow, it is vital that this scheme be revised by Wicklow County Council so that it properly addresses the safety of vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians passing through Kilmacanogue.’
‘It is difficult to imagine how conditions for cyclists could be worsened by new road proposals for Kilmacanougue,’ said Bray Wheelers chairman Mark Murphy.
‘Based on what we have seen, this is the case.
‘My fear is that a club member or other cyclist passing through Kilmacanogue will be badly injured or killed unless the scheme recently granted by Wicklow County Council is revised to take the needs of cyclists into account.’
Club PRO Brian Harris said that the route is used by hundreds of cyclists every week.
‘Our club uses this road for races including the famous ‘Shay Elliott Cycle Race’, for weekend club rides – even for juniors to learn how to cycle on the road’ he said.
‘ The opportunity to improve the safety of cyclists at Kilmacanogue has not been taken by Wicklow County Council in producing and agreeing new roads proposals. The scheme needs to be revised.’