Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this debate on the motion tabled by my colleague, Deputy Lahart, which aims to address the problem of transport gridlock that exists in the greater Dublin region. As a Wicklow Deputy, I want to put on record the fact that part of this congestion is because 70% of Wicklow's workers are leaving the county every day to work mostly in Dublin. This situation is unsustainable, not just from a transport perspective but also from a social perspective and from the point of view of people's well-being. The obvious answer that would be of benefit to Dublin's transport problem is more sustainable jobs based in County Wicklow. No one in Wicklow or east Carlow would disagree that commuting to Dublin has increasingly become a nightmare. This puts extra pressure on our residents. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has confirmed that Wicklow has the worst traffic congestion in the commuter belt. In north Wicklow large numbers of commuters are trying and failing to access rail services. A lack of rail capacity is forcing people to use the N11 and this further contributes to gridlock. It was disappointing that, under the most recent transport plan for the greater Dublin area, the Luas line was not extended to Bray. That formerly proposed route needs to be put back in the plan. Additional park-and-ride facilities would also be required in Bray, Greystones, Wicklow and Arklow.

Traffic management on the N11 is often non-existent, thus creating gridlock every morning as commuters make their way to work. The smallest drop of rain or a minor traffic accident can result in hours being lost as vehicles are backed up as far as Newtownmountkennedy. A major upgrade of the N11 is vital for north Wicklow with improved access on all junctions that merge with the M50. The N81 in west Wicklow is also a crucial arterial route into Dublin for many people in Wicklow, Carlow and Kildare. It needs to be upgraded urgently to tackle notorious bottlenecks in Hollywood, Blessington, and Brittas. The people of Wicklow and east Carlow need a transport plan, with specific timed actions that are managed with a view to regional growth and sustainability. I urge the Minister and the Government to start resolving these problems rather than just observing them.

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