Friday 16 March 2007

Roche Notes Progress Barry's Bridge: N11 Kilpedder Interchange and the

Mr. Dick Roche TD Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government has expressed his pleasure at progress on Barry's Bridge - N11 Kilpedder Interchange.

Wicklow County Council has sought to acquire a small tract of land at the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve for the construction of a diverge slip lane from the N11 Northbound Carriageway to the existing road beneath Barry's Bridge. "The slip road is an integral part of the Wicklow County Council's plan to make the road between the N11 and the Delgany Road two-way, which will improve local links to Delgany Village," said Minister Roche.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has agreed to dispose of the land, and in order to expedite the works pending the execution of the necessary legal documents, NPWS has granted a licence to the council for the use of the lands. The licence was signed recently and clears the way for the contractor to enter the site and widen the road.

The works are to be carried out in accordance with an Environmental Impact Assessment, which includes certain minor environmental mitigation measures to avoid run-off to the nearby river and disturbance to otters. NPWS personnel have been in regular contact with the council and are fully satisfied that there are no adverse environmental impacts from the proposed works.

"I am delighted that this matter, which has gone on for some time, has finally been resolved and I look forward to the works which have no conservation impacts and no felling of mature trees, being completed as a matter of urgency." concluded Minister Roche.

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