Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have said that the planned road works on the N81 route between Tallaght and Hollywood Cross have been suspended.
The plans, which would have seen an upgrade to 31km of the N81, were cancelled, with TII citing the economic downturn as reasoning.
“The proposed N81 Tallaght to Hollywood Cross road improvement scheme is currently suspended […] the advancement of the proposed scheme cannot be accommodated in the national road programme at present,” TII Director of Communications Sean O’Neill told WicklowNews.
O’Neill added that “a number of projects were suspended due to the economic downturn and the reduction of funding” with the N81 upgrades being one of them.
According to a report released by the Kildare National Roads Office in 2016, the Tallaght to Hollywood Cross route has up to seven times the national average of head-on collisions, and two times the national average of single-vehicle crashes.
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has expressed anger that the works due to take place on the N81 have been suspended.
“Locals and those familiar with the N81 will know it is one of the deadliest roads in the county.
“Unfortunately again, West Wicklow is being forgotten about by this Government. I have requested an immediate meeting with Minister Ross on this matter to convey my deep disappointment and frustration at this news and to express to him the dangerous condition of the road and push that the upgrade work can proceed without delay,” Brady said in a press release.
