Work at five busy Wicklow roundabouts still not underway despite €1.2m fund

With NTA funding of €1.2 million approved to upgrade five roundabouts, Cllr Stephen Stokes, Cathaoirleach of the Greystones Municipal District pressed for an update at the February 2024 district meeting.

Confirmation was received at the meeting that Wicklow County Council will need to appoint contractors to do the work.

“The funding for these upgrades is welcome. I have been pressing for road safety measures for some time. I would like to see this work carried out as efficiently as possible,” Cllr Stokes said.

The work is expected to formalise crossings for Aldborough, Charlesland, Glenheron, Hawkins Wood and Seabourne View and many of the crossings on the Charlesland dual carriageway currently operate without a lights system. The meeting heard that there are serious issues with technical staff at Wicklow County Council, which are having an impact on rolling out such projects.

Commenting later on the issue, Cllr Stokes said: “Wicklow County Council staff have been re-directed to other projects, and therefore a contracting company is needed. The biggest material cost is the lights.”

“As the population continues to expand, there are more vehicles on the road. Trying to cross the Glen roundabout between Charlesland Wood and Seabourne is particularly challenging. I found this myself when crossing over. So we need to take decisive measures to assist people.

“You really cannot put a price on road safety, especially for children. That is why this investment is needed as a priority for pedestrians and cyclists along the Charlesland dual carriageway. I will continue to seek improvements for Charlesland, Delgany, Greystones, Kilcoole, Killadreenan and Newcastle.”

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