Bray has always had a close connection with the railway ever since William Dargan brought it to Bray in July 1854. Since then trains have played an important part in the life of the town, bringing many tourists to Bray throughout the twentieth century and in its latter part and today being an important commuter service for the residents in the town. Its interconnectivity with the town’s bus services provides the basis of the public transport system in the town.
With the plan to bring the LUAS from Cherrywood to Bray by the middle of the next decade, Bray will be the only town to be served by all three forms of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Despite the network that exists, improvements are continuously demanded. The bus route, which was taken off the seafront, should be reinstated, the services to the southern end of the town must increase in frequency, and there is a need for an adequate service for the people in the Dargle/Greenpark Road area of the town. A pick up and drop off point at the southern end of Bray should be designated for the Aircoach service through the town to Dublin Airport.
In addition to the public transport network, other ongoing challenges of the other aspects of transport in the town must be addressed.
Traffic congestion is often a feature of traffic delays in the town and also on the N11/M50.
To improve the traffic flow in the town there is a need for better car parking facilities at the northern and southern end of the town to prevent unnecessary and longer journeys than are required, efforts to discourage traffic that has no business in the town centre away from it and the development of intelligent traffic management measures that provides traffic information to the public allowing them make a decision on their choice of journey.
On the issue of the N11/M50 junction, which is a cause of annoyance for motorists in the morning and evening, David has continually raised this with the National Roads Authority and both Wicklow County Council and Dun Laoghaorire Rathdown County Council who all have responsibility for the road. The problem clearly lies in the inadequate lengths of the merging lanes at Wilford, Fassaroe and Killarney Road Interchanges. These must be improved to allow the free flow of traffic at peak times.
Irrespective of the mode of transport improving accessibility and facilities for people with mobility impairments, those with disabilities or their carers, older people or parents with small children, must always be to the fore of those providing or facilitating transport systems in the town.