M11/N11 bus corridor update: Fate of the Herbert Road junction

M11/N11 bus corridor update: Fate of the Herbert Road junction

At last night's Bray council meeting (01/04/25), we received a presentation on the 'preferred option' for the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme. The comprehensive details of the scheme will be formally published online on April 10th for public viewing.  The most contentious aspect of the scheme for Bray residents remains the proposed closure of the Herbert Road junction. This decision has been taken despite significant public opposition.  

We expressed community concern about the Herbert Road closure and Elected Members unanimously requested a reconsideration of this aspect of the scheme. Throughout my canvassing for the local elections, this issue emerged as a recurrent complaint, with residents expressing worry about being trapped in Bray due to ever increasing traffic and feeling disenfranchised, as their views are not being listened to.  

Structural Breakdown of the Bus Priority Scheme

The proposed scheme has been split into three sub-schemes:

 Sub Scheme A Recommendations

  • Implementation of dedicated hard shoulder bus priority lanes
  • Introduction of bus priority signalling at Junction 5 southbound (Bray North)

Sub Scheme B Recommendations

  • Expansion of hard shoulder bus priority lanes southbound
  • Closure of minor junctions and direct access points, including Silverbridge, Dargle Lane, R117, and Herbert Road
  • Integration of active travel infrastructure
  • Establishment of a one-way service road (Kilmacanogue northbound and Junction 7 to Junction 6)  This will replicate what is already in place southbound.
  • Extensive redevelopment of Junction 7 (Bray South)

 Sub Scheme C Recommendations

  • Implementation of hard shoulder bus priority lanes northbound
  • Closure of minor junctions and direct access points
  • Enhancement of active travel facilities

Evaluation of Alternative Proposals

Alternative solutions to the closure of Herbert Road were explored but ultimately dismissed due to engineering constraints and spatial limitations. These included the potential construction of an over-bridge and a parallel southbound service road. According to revised design standards, certain access points, including the Herbert Road junction, no longer meet contemporary safety and infrastructural requirements. There is no plan to reduce speed limits or to allow traffic to cross into the bus lane to take the Herbert Road junction.

I formally requested the comprehensive traffic modelling data to see for myself the projected impact of the Herbert Road closure on traffic circulation throughout Bray. However, this critical information was not available at the meeting, but should be available in the report when released on the 10th of April.  I also reported the impact on Bray traffic when the Herbert Road was closed previously for road works.

Anticipated Traffic Flow Enhancements

The modelling presented purports that the substantial upgrade works at Junction 7 will significantly improve traffic flow on and off the N11, so traffic will not be queuing on the N11 to enter Bray.  Modelling is based on the projected growth of Bray between now and 2042 taking into consideration new development to take place in Fassaroe. The modelling suggests that these infrastructural enhancements will reduce congestion along Killarney Road and Southern Cross Road addressing the wider issue of traffic congestion in Bray which is welcome news.  If the works could be carried out in a phased process, with the upgrade of junction 7 being prioritised, we would clearly see if this will address congestion in the way that has been suggested.