Upgrade Works due to take place on the N81 now suspended indefinitely – Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has expressed anger and disappointment that the long awaited upgrade works due to take place on the N81 have been suspended and will not now be carried out.

Speaking having received correspondence from the Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Teachta Brady said:

“I was informed today that the N81 from Tallaght to Hollywood Cross road improvement scheme is currently suspended and that the project is not included in the Government’s Capital Investment Plan which provides the financial and strategic framework for Transport Infrastructure Irelands activities until 2021. Therefore the N81 is now not included in the national roads programme.

“The plans which have been worked on now for 10 years would have seen an upgrade of 31km of the N81, with a focus on improving the road safety and journey times for motorists using the road. After extensive public consultation a preferred route has been selected and a 300 metre wide corridor along the route has been frozen from any other development.

“I have been lobbying Minister Shane Ross on the urgent need for works to take place on the N81. Locals and those familiar with the N81 will know it is one of the deadliest roads in the County. According to a briefing report which was released by the Kildare National Roads Office, the current N81 between Tallaght and Hollywood Cross has up to seven times the national average of head-on collisions, and two times the national average of single-vehicle crashes.

“Unfortunately again, West Wicklow is being forgotten about by this Government. I have requested an immediate meeting with Minister Ross on this matter to convey my deep disappointment and frustration at this news and to express to him the dangerous condition of the road and push that the upgrade work can proceed without delay.”