Important Update on N11 Flooding – Harris

Posted April 16th, 2013

Deputy Harris secures update in Dail on actions being taken to resolve flooding problems on the N11.

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris has today (Tuesday) secured a Dail debate on the on-going flooding issues on the N11/M11.

After the recent spate of flooding Deputy Harris undertook to raise this matter on the floor of the Dail to finally seek answers for Wicklow commuters as to why this major roadway has been flooded twice already this year.

Speaking in the Dail this evening Deputy Harris said, ‘We are only in the fourth month of 2013 and already Wicklow commuters have had to endure traffic chaos and road closures on the N11/M11. They and I have had enough and are extremely frustrated by the lack of answers and indeed the buck passing form one agency and indeed local authority to another.

‘This is a major road leading to our capital city. It is an essential route on an almost daily basis for thousands upon thousands of people commuting to work and going about their business. Equally in terms of encouraging investment into county Wicklow, we cannot afford to have these flooding issues remain without solution.

‘Legitimate questions are now being asked by commuters and residents in terms of whether there is an engineering problem with this road or is there simply a lack of proper maintenance and to be quite frank whether this is a problem with Wicklow County Council or Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council or the National Roads Authority or all three. We need leadership and coordination. We need heads banged together and a workable solution.

‘This evening in the Dail the Minister for Transport has informed me that a CCTV survey of the motorway drainage is being undertaken and a series of site surveys are underway to assess the condition of the motorway drainage and to investigate the performance of the local road and land drainage network to the west of the M11.

‘I welcome this news that action is being taken and will be vigorously pursuing this.’

ENDS

Harris tables special Dáil debate on N11/M11 flooding debacle

Posted April 5th, 2013

Major aerial road shut for second time this year due to flooding – Wicklow TD to seek answers and accountability in Dáil debate

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris has written to the Ceann Comhairle tabling a special Topical Debate in the Dáil arising from the closure of the N11/M11 twice so far in 2013 due to flooding.

Speaking on this issue, Deputy Harris said, “It is utterly unacceptable that this major road route is closed in parts and that commuters from right throughout Wicklow are left in chaotic traffic for hours and hours on end when their is heavy rain. Surely in the 21st Century we can engineer and maintain roads to withstand heavy rain. This is not a small road, it is one of our country’s most major roadways and to see it unable to cope with rain and to be flooded twice in three months is ridiculous.”

“Since the latest flooding incident resulting in the closure of the road around the Bray exits, there has been significant “buck passing” going on. The NRA have implied that local authorities failed to maintain it adequately. Others have commented on the fact that there may be an engineering problem in and around the part of the road in question. Wicklow residents dont want buck-passing. They want answers and they want action,” stated Deputy Harris.

“I have now tabled a Dáil debate on the issue and have written to the Ceann Comhairle seeking time to consider the matter on the floor of the Dáil so that the Minister for Transport can bring together all the relevant agencies – the NRA and the local authorities – and secure answers, updates and assurances on this important issue. I will continue to pursue this until progress is made,” concluded Deputy Harris.

ENDS

Sports Capital Grant Funding for Wicklow

Posted December 4th, 2012

Dear Constituent,

For the first time in four years sports Capital funding has been provided for Community and Sports groups to develop and improve their facilities. Below is a list of the Wicklow recipient groups which have been approved for funding. I have no doubt that this funding will be hugely beneficial to many communities across our county. Simon

Wicklow Annamoe Community Development Association Limited €40,000
Wicklow Arklow Amateur Boxing Club €40,000
Wicklow Aughrim RFC €3,500
Wicklow Avondale GAA Club €55,000
Wicklow Ballymanus GFC €70,000
Wicklow Ballywaltrim Recreational Park Management Committee €16,000
Wicklow Baltinglass GAA Club €50,149
Wicklow Blessington GAA Club €30,000
Wicklow Bray Bowling Club €77,000
Wicklow Bray Town Council, Ballywaltrim €190,000
Wicklow Co Wicklow Lawn Tennis Club €3,000
Wicklow Cobra Gymnastics Club €10,000
Wicklow Coolkenno Sports Field Ltd. €20,000
Wicklow Dunlavin GAA Club €30,000
Wicklow Greystones Rugby Football Club €47,000
Wicklow Kilcoole Camogie Club €2,000
Wicklow Knockananna G.A.A Club €45,000
Wicklow Lakers Social and Recreation Club Ltd €25,000
Wicklow Our Lady Of Fatima Boxing Club Wicklow €4,000
Wicklow Rathdrum Gymnastics Club €13,000
Wicklow St Patricks GAA Club, Wicklow €50,000
Wicklow St Pats Schoolboy and Schoolgirls Soccer club Avoca €15,000
Wicklow St. Patricks GAA Club, Kilcoole €17,500
Wicklow Tiglin Teen Challenge €24,000
Wicklow Wicklow Rugby Football Club €37,000
Wicklow Woodbrook Garden County Archers €15,000

Harris congratulates Wicklow Towns on performance in Tidy Towns

Posted September 11th, 2012

Wicklow Fine Gael TD Simon Harris commended the efforts of Tidy Towns committees around County Wicklow.

Aughrim continued last year’s success by winning another gold medal in its category in the Tidy Towns 2012 Competition.

Stratford on Slaney was highly commended and Wicklow Town commended in the regional awards, while Glenealy was recognised with the Endeavour Award for having made significant improvements on last year’s performance.

Welcoming the results, Deputy Harris said, ‘The awards are richly deserved and reflect the work that has gone into towns around Wicklow. The Tidy Towns competition is a great example of what can be done by local communities to improve the towns they live in. It is fantastic for getting the community interested and involved in their surroundings and the results have demonstrated the great work done throughout Wicklow over the last year.’

‘I would like to extend my congratulations to all those involved in the Tidy Towns efforts around Wicklow and I look forward to working with the committees for the 2013 competition.’

Real- time bus signs coming to Wicklow

Posted July 21st, 2011

Local Fine Gael TD Simon Harris has welcomed news electronic bus signs will be rolled out at 22 locations across Wicklow. The signs will provide real-time information about Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann arrivals.

Deputy Harris said, “Electronic bus signs will take the guess work out of using public transport. Once they are up and running passengers will have access to up to date information about bus arrivals. It is intended that they will be installed and operational by the end of the year.”

“These signs have proved hugely popular in Dublin city centre, where they have already been installed, and I would like to thank my colleague, Minister Leo Varadkar, for his commitment to improving public transport facilities. The next stage of this project will allow passengers to check when the next bus will arrive via text message, or by using a smartphone app – so they won’t even have to wait at the bus stop.”

“The locations for these signs were chosen based on passenger numbers. I continue to work closely with my Fine Gael colleagues on Wicklow County Council to ensure other high population zones such as Charlesland, Kilcoole and Newcastle are prioritised for the next wave of funding.”

Electronic signs will be installed at the following locations:

• Main Street Bray (x3)
• Castle Street, Bray
• Bray Road, Bray
• Killarney Road, Bray
• Vevay Road, Bray
• Bray Train Station
• Greystones Train Station
• Church Road, Greystones
• Newtownmountkennedy (x2)
• Kilmacanogue (x2)
• Rathnew
• Wicklow
• Ashford
• Kilpeddar (x2)
• Rathnew
• Ballywaltrim
• Ashford

Have an Issue in Your Area? Let Me Know!

Posted May 2nd, 2011

If you have an issue in your area that you think I can help with, get in touch! I am happy to help in any way that I can

You can call me on 01-6183805 (Dáil Office) or 01-2813727 (Constituency Office). Alternatively you can email me at simon.harris@oir.ie or write to me at ‘Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2′ or at my constituency office, ‘Office Unit 4, Market Court, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow’.