Call for upgrades at ‘death trap’ junction after Wicklow councillor crashes
Cllrs Melanie Corrigan and Aoife Flynn Kennedy on Eglinton Road, Bray, where hidden disability spaces have been approved.
Bray seafront plaza.
After being “finally hit by a car” at the Ballywatrim Lane junction, Councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy – who has been flagging the area as one of concern since 2018 – was given “two fingers” by the other party, who subsequently drove away, believing she said, that they assumed they had the right of way at the thorny junction.
Cllr Flynn Kennedy told the April meeting of Bray Municipal District, that despite sustaining only a bump to her car, she had to express her “frustration” that before she was even elected, she had been raising the hazards in the area, and while she appreciated any improvements hinged on the NTA and N11 upgrades, the junction remains a “death trap that has to be resolved”.
She also raised the issue of the new plaza area along Bray seafront, where blatant parking had become commonplace and more bollards were needed.
Together with Councillor Melanie Corrigan, Cllr Flynn has also proposed a motion to Wicklow County Council which has stemmed from a “positive step” in Bray, where residents have formed an alliance to look at issues, including traffic congestion. Among the impediments to addressing traffic is the fact that some of the roads fall under the remit of Bray District, some under Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown and others under the care of Wicklow County Council. For a real solution, all parties need to be on board to share the responsibility, she said.
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Finally, Cllr Flynn Kennedy once more asked about the progress of the hidden disability parking spaces, which still need that long-awaited lick of paint. This was echoed by Cllr Corrigan, who also pressed the ongoing matter of flooding at Quill Road, Kilmacanogue, which has been an issue for what seems like an eternity and where residents “cannot continue to live under those circumstances”.
Meanwhile, Councillor Joe Behan highlighted points of “great annoyance for people” in the town, namely the yellow boxes at Dargle Bridge and at Seapoint Road, which are “half obliterated” and are a source of frustration for people trying to get out from the minor roads. This too was raised by the Alliance of Bray Residents with him recently.
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With housing developments under construction at Southern Cross Road, Cllr Behan also highlighted ongoing disruption to traffic for people in the estates, as well as a “constant problem of muck and dust being splashed up on houses” and even generally for people walking.
He asked if the council had any oversight on the public road system where it effects local residents, and when contractors come in for private developers “and seem to be able to do whatever they like”.
Praise however was given for for one member of the council staff, who it appears has single-handedly maintained the path and shrubbery along the Southern Cross Road, which has made a huge difference. Cllr Behan made it known that residents who had complained about the dirt from contractors, did wish to highlight the industry of this one member of staff.
“So there is a lot of good work happening,” he added.
Councillor Rory O’Connor said he too had “seen how bad it gets” on Southern Cross Road, but also had some praise for the installation of signage at Kilmacanogue.
Raising the perennial issue of grass-cutting, Councillor Mick Ryan preferred the term “butchering” for the job that has been done by contractors in estates such as Mountain View and Deer Park and said it was a “disgrace”, compared with the grass at the sea front which is maintained by the council. He said the kids “can’t even play football’ on the green spaces because of the holes that remain after the work is completed.
In the absence of District Engineer Liam Bourke, Executive Engineer Stephen Fox was unable to answer all of the questions raised, but did comment on the recent grass-cutting work which had been hampered by the weather conditions.
He acknowledged complaints from residents, particularly over the last week. The seafront, meanwhile, doesn’t suffer from the drainage issues experienced in some of the estates. It is hoped the cutting will improve once the weather does. At the same time, he said “he can’t defend” some of the work done. More bollards for the seafront, which should prevent people from parking on the plaza once installed, have been ordered some three weeks ago, councillors were told by District Administrator Garvan Hickey.
