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Protesters outside Leinster House this morning. The Journal

Local road closure protest in Harris' constituency lands on the doorstep at Leinster House

The Tánaiste and other Wicklow TDs met with Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien about the closure of the Herbert Road in Bray to traffic.

A PROTEST OVER a road closure in Tánaiste Simon Harris’ constituency took place outside Leinster House today. 

Local residents campaigning against the closure of the Herbert Road junction leading off the N11 gathered outside the gates of Leinster House today ahead of a meeting with Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien. 

Campaigners argue that closing the road access from the N11 will greatly increase traffic.

Despite pushback from the local community in recent months, Wicklow County Council has pushed ahead with plans to progress the bus priority scheme. The council maintains the closure is the favoured solution to make way for a new bus corridor along the N11.

The Tánaiste and other Wicklow TDs attended the meeting today whereby a meeting with Wicklow County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland was put forward. 

Sinn Féin TD John Brady presented the minister with a petition containing 6,855 signatures from residents, commuters, business owners, and those who regularly use Herbert Road.

“Every signature is a clear and unequivocal message: keep Herbert Road open,” he said. 

Brady said using the road, which has recently been upgraded, as an interim bus priority corridor along the N11 is a “deeply flawed proposal”. 

‘Viable alternatives’

Following the meeting, Harris said a team of consultants will be appointed in the coming weeks to consider next steps including a viable alternative to the proposed closure of Herbert Road.

The Tánaiste, who is in agreement with other local TDs, stressed the need for Herbert Road to remain open, stating that the road closure to traffic is an “ill-thought-out proposals” and should be “ditched once and for all.”

“I very much welcome the fact that the Minister has acted on these concerns, and I am pleased to have received confirmation that a team of consultants will be appointed in the coming weeks. They have been tasked specifically with finding an alternative solution to the road’s closure.

“We are all fully united in ensuring Herbert Road remains open,” he said. 

O’Brien confirmed that he will write to Wicklow County Council to formally outline the views, concerns, and opposition shared by both the Tánaiste and local Oireachtas members during the meeting.

The minister has asked TII to meet with the elected representatives to hear their concerns directly which can help inform the development and refinement of the proposal as it moves into detailed design.

A follow-up technical meeting with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is also due to take place.

Harris said the meeting will serve as a crucial opportunity for Herbert Road residents’ concerns to be conveyed directly to the officials responsible for progressing the project.

Brady also welcomed the progress, but highlighted that the meeting today was requested several months ago.

“Closing one of Bray’s four main access routes will cause absolute chaos in a town that is already plagued with congestion. The closure would be a disaster for commuters, for local businesses, and for daily life in Bray.”

Brady stated that key elements of the N11 corridor improvements can and should proceed, but added that closing Herbert Road is not an option. 

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34 Comments
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    Mute Lance Taylor
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    Jul 9th 2025, 6:26 PM

    If they close that road it will be gridlock and chaos for the whole community. Who on earth suggested this lunacy??

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    Mute Stiles
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    Jul 9th 2025, 6:28 PM

    @Lance Taylor: ah Shurrrupp lance.. Jaysis..

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:37 PM

    @Lance Taylor: The local Herbert Road Residents association are commonly known as the Herbies. When they found out about this plan,the Herbies went bananas

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    Mute Stiles
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:42 PM

    @Larry Betts: gas.. that’s more like it.. Lance ave the bleedin craic sumtimes at least will ya…

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    Mute Lance Taylor
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:51 PM

    @Larry Betts: a brilliant joke as always Larry thanks it made my day

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jul 10th 2025, 8:23 AM

    @Lance Taylor: That was the Green Party plan from the last few governments, make worse and hope for better.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jul 10th 2025, 8:43 AM

    @Lance Taylor: The NTA.

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    Mute Mary Linton
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    Jul 9th 2025, 6:28 PM

    Surely this government could allow/permit those poor little Palestinian children a ‘ break’….. even just a couple weeks, a GAA match & a brief distraction from the heinous violence in their homeland?

    49
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    Mute Stiles
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    Jul 9th 2025, 6:30 PM

    @Mary Linton: and then send them back to the bombs….?

    12
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    Mute Mary Linton
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    Jul 9th 2025, 6:52 PM

    @Stiles: surely a bit of balm, or oil, on the ‘ troubled’waters of the wee ones daily lives is far far better than no respite at all. Personally, I’m hoping a truce will materialise between Israel & Hamas

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    Mute John Kenny
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:07 PM

    @Mary Linton: so our government only let undocumented men in

    27
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    Mute JoeJoe Kilbride
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:26 PM

    @Mary Linton: send them to host families who haven’t even applied for Garda vetting?

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:52 PM

    @Mary Linton: it beggars belief the decisions the officials in this country make. They really have nothing in common with normal Irish people.

    21
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    Mute Uí Braonáin
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:18 PM

    @Mary Linton: Incredible decision. This FFG government really let their kippah slip here. No doubt we’ll hear how ‘concerned’ they are at what’s happening while forever continuing to act in the interests of ‘Israel’.

    17
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jul 10th 2025, 8:47 AM

    @John Kenny: They don.t let them in, they are illegal immigrants!

    1
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    Mute Dave McFitz
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    Jul 10th 2025, 5:43 PM

    @Mary Linton: not on your nelly mate
    , our illustrious elite will obey Netanyahu.

    1
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    Mute Nikki Swift
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:46 PM

    Not a word on the man who abused the 5 family members and only gets 8 years

    30
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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jul 9th 2025, 10:34 PM

    @Nikki Swift: Damn right Nikki. Absolutely despicable. Deserves that for each and every one of them,at least. Will he be out in 5 after ‘showing remorse,low risk of reoffending,troubled background,no other offences’? Justice system here needs to get a grip,seriously.

    16
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    Mute Ger Byrne
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    Jul 10th 2025, 1:43 AM

    @Nikki Swift: disgraceful! No comments allowed. He should have gotten 50 yrs

    5
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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:34 PM

    He should have anticipated a voiceferous opposition to this plan. If he drove along that road himself he would have noticed the objections. All the signs were there.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Jul 9th 2025, 9:35 PM

    @Larry Betts: He doesn’t drive as he’s chauffeured about leading the pampered life

    19
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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jul 9th 2025, 10:31 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: Whilst listening to Peter Gabriel on the stereo . I will chauffeur you,you will chauffeur me,sledgehammer

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    Mute Jay Nsilentb
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    Jul 9th 2025, 11:19 PM

    @Larry Betts: Not your best work, Larry. But Don’t Give Up!

    4
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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jul 9th 2025, 11:55 PM

    @Jay Nsilentb: only In Your Eyes

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    Mute jn
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:47 PM

    fffg and Lowry’s bandit’s gang trying to deflect headlines from housing mess to religious orders force payments , but strange this was suppose to happen 20 years ago

    20
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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:00 PM

    The original name of the road was Sherbert Road. But for safety reasons they realigned it,and removed the hidden dip. Hence the name change

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    Mute Dave McFitz
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    Jul 11th 2025, 1:04 AM

    @Larry Betts: yes safety is required, what if simple Simon decides to take his invisible handbag for walk while he practices his I’m really concerned look while stating let me be very clear on this , we can ALL hope and pray.

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    Mute Stiles
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    Jul 9th 2025, 6:29 PM

    Sounds like a mayo lad named that Russian ship..

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:01 PM

    @Child of Drague -Dey\Dem: Helmsmen

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    Mute You Cant Be Serious
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    Jul 10th 2025, 12:28 PM

    Is this all for the X1 and x 2 as you wound struggle to see anything else along that stretch in reality. If you are going to build bus lanes , then
    You need to have minimum 6 per hour of each route , the merrion/ blackrock road does not deserve its en bus lane based on number of buses that actually use it

    1
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