Dick has written to the N.R.A and Wicklow County Council questioning the proposal to remove the roundabout at the Killarney Road/Southern Cross junction and replace it with a set of traffic lights.

"Constituents who have been in contact with me suggest that the traffic problems at this important entry and exit point for Bray will only be compounded with a signalised junction.  They question whether the impact of these proposals has been fully assessed" said Minister Roche.

The N.R.A proposes spending €2 million of taxpayers money removing the roundabout – which was recently ‘landscaped’ at considerable cost to Bray Town Council.

Minister Roche has pointed out in his submission that he does not believe that the N.R.A has demonstrated that its plans will relieve the position at the junction.  He has asked the N.R.A to explain why alternative traffic treatments used extensively on ‘roundabout systems’ elsewhere in Europe are not being considered.  Specifically the Minister has asked why the possibility of putting additional left lanes to direct traffic from the junction has not been considered.  The addition of a separated left lane would filter traffic that wishes to use the Kilcroney overpass away from the junction.  Similarly a left only lane from the Southern Cross at Brennanstown could filter traffic that is heading South on the N11 relieving congestion on the roundabout.

“Recently we have seen proposals that will cost up to €7 million proposed for Bray – a limited bus lane along the main street to cost up to €5 million and now this.  Neither proposal encourages confidence in either the local Councils or the Statutory Agencies with which they are dealing”, Minister Roche concluded.