Green Party TD for Wicklow Steven Matthews is calling on Wicklow County Council to speed up the design and construction of the Blessington Inner Relief Road.
‘The new road will remove the heavy goods vehicles and through traffic from the Main Street and allow for further investment and improvements to walking, cycling and parking facilities throughout the town centre. We can really improve road safety, air quality, reduce noise and create a much more attractive town centre with good public spaces and safer spaces for our children if we divert the through traffic to the inner relief road.
‘This road has been talked about for a long time with part of it already constructed but requires completion at the north and south end of Blessington. I have discussed the road with Wicklow County Council and urged greater action from them and I have offered to work with the Minister and Department of Transport to support the project’ said Deputy Matthews.
‘Blessington is a beautiful, wide street, market town with some architectural gems but it is hindered by excessive traffic and congestion at times. It has fantastic voluntary community groups who work tirelessly to improve the area and I have met with the Blessington Forum, Town Team and Tidy Towns to support them in the work they do and their vision for a better Blessington town.
‘Blessington has been selected as Wicklow’s Town Centres First location and as such has received funding to carry out improvements to the public space and squares. In applying for funding to carry out the works to build the inner relief road I have asked the Council to also design the public improvements footpaths, accessibility, safe walking routes, better parking and cycle routes. These improvements are good for local business as they draw more people to the town centre to shop, socialise and enjoy their town. They can also lead to residential development in the town centre in refurbishment of vacant buildings and conversion of upper floors to homes.
‘With further investment in public transport, construction of the new park and the completion of the Blessington Greenway, the town will thrive, but it is critical to its success that we divert the excess traffic from the Main Street and this remains a priority for me’, concluded Deputy Matthews
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