Stakeholder Taskforce Looking To Address Traffic Issues Around Brittas Bay

Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for the creation of a new Brittas Bay Stakeholder Group.

The group would be comprised of local residents, first responders, An Garda Siochana, ambulance and the Brittas Bay Kilbride Defibrillator Group.

Whitmore has recommended establishing the stakeholder group to help plan for increased traffic, footfall and tourism to Brittas Bay ahead of the summer period.

In a statement Deputy Whitmore said:

“Last week I spoke with the new CEO of Wicklow Cunty Council, Emer O’Gorman about the need for more co-ordination in Brittas Bay ahead of the busy summer period.

Anyone who has spent time on Brittas Bay beach over the summer months know that the area is often overwhelmed by the level of visitors.

"Traffic infrastructure in Brittas is inadequate to cater to the huge number of people flocking to our coasts on the weekends. Every year this leads to huge traffic congestion, a diversion of garda traffic management resources, roads turning into car parks and a block in access to emergency services.

“Locals have in the past been unable to leave their homes and emergency services will not be able to reach people to provide urgent care in the area, which tragically has contributed to loss of life down on the beach.

I propose we need a group of relevant stakeholders to co-ordinate traffic management and first responders in Brittas so that we can avoid road blockages.”

Deputy Whitmore has also recently renewed her call on the NTA to provide a local link bus service to the area to help reduce the level of traffic in the area. Deputy Whitmore said:

“I recently reiterated  my call for a seasonal Local Link bus route like the one in Wexford to Curracloe in the first instance, to be set up from Arklow to Greystones taking in stops along the route to including Brittas Bay, Magheramore, Wicklow Town, Newcastle, Kilcoole and Greystones.

Having raised it with the NTA every year, I recently asked the Minister directly. While he could not tell me why this had not been resolved before now, I am glad to say he committed to looking into this on my behalf.