[Press Release: May 7th, 2002]

DE BURCA CONDEMNS SECRET PLAN FOR BRAY RING ROAD

Wicklow Green Party councillor and general election candidate Deirdre de Burca, has condemned a secret plan for a major ring road around Bray that would open up further public land in the town for development. She has called for a genuine and open public consultation process to take place before any commitments are made concerning major development in the town.

"I have been shown maps of Bray (obtained under the freedom of information act), which indicate that a ring road is being planned for Bray", said councillor de Burca. According to de Burca the proposed road would cut through the Ravenswell Golf Club down to the North Beach, along the Esplanade, up onto Bray Head and behind Newcourt Road, linking up with the Southern Cross.

"I am very concerned about the prospect of the proposed ring road", said councillor de Burca, "not just because it is apparently being planned in secret but because the purpose of the road appears to be to facilitate the development of the remaining public land in the town, including Bray Head and the North Beach area".

Councillor de Burca claims that Mahoney Architects, the consultancy firm employed by Bray Town Council to draw up an Enhancement Scheme for Bray seafront, has presented plans for the seafront to the Department of the Environment which appear to be consistent with the proposed ring road infrastructure.

"It would appear that the proposed Public Private Partnership for the North Beach and Harbour Area of Bray seafront, involving massive land reclamation and infill, is just one element of a much bigger plan for the town" said councillor de Burca. "This plan will see public land at the North Beach, Harbour area, Bray seafront and Bray Head opened up for development and it is clear that one or two developers will benefit significantly".

Councillor de Burca has called on Bray Town Council to engage in a genuine public consultation process with the people of Bray before any commitment is made to proceed with a development project at the seafront. "The public consultation which has occurred to date has not been transparent" she said. "Critical information is being withheld from the public and it is not acceptable that concerned individuals have had to submit numerous Freedom of Information requests in order to acquire this new and disturbing information" she said.

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.