Trucks cause Brannockstown problems

There's a lot of concern in the Brannockstown/Harristown area about the fact that many trucks are using local roads as 'rat runs' between Wicklow and Kildare and points further.



The state of the parapet at Carnalway Bridge (above) probably reflects some of this.

A drive along the Brannockstown to Ballymore Road will also show verges which are damaged by constant heavy truck traffic.

But it is hard to know what can be done about the situation. Certainly, there is a possibility that the community in Brannockstown itself could lobby to have HGVs banned from its village road.

But that can only be a part of a strategy developed between the community and the local authority, which would involve the provision of a proper route for the vehicles which must transport goods and materials between the different counties.

On the local authority's part, this would require upgrading certain roads and maintaining them to the level required to service this traffic.

The first step on this road is a request for dialogue from the local community. A firm request. Then Brannockstown and its residents can move forward towards eventually taking control of their own environment a little more.

Brian Byrne.