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Quality Bus Corridor meets with opposition

The public consultation period for the plans from the Quality Bus Network Office (QBNO) ended on Monday last, 30th November 2009 at 4.30pm after a period of three months from when the plans were first presented to the members of Bray Town Council.

“The plan to introduce a Quality Bus Corridor through the heart of the town has been met with much opposition from local residents and traders” according to Cllr David Grant (FF).

“I am disappointed that the plans which have good intention have not been received more favourably in the community but I am not surprised given the manner in which the plans were presented to the public. When the QBNO attended the Council meeting in September to present their plans I was aghast at what was proposed and the absence of any engagement with local interests.

Despite my proposal that the plans be used as a basis for discussion with local business and residents prior to commencing the statutory public consultation period, I received no support from any other member. I believe that had the Council allowed for greater engagement with those that are interested in the proper development of the town that a lot of the concerns and reservations that people have expressed in the recently complete public consultation could be meaningfully addressed before the statutory process commenced, which is irreversible once it has.

Over the past number of weeks Councillors have received various letters and emails from people in town objecting to the manner in which the plans have been brought forward.

I believe that there is a lesson in this. Pushing through plans without meaningful engagement is only dooming a project before it can even be considered. The decision of Bray Town Councillors to plough ahead with the statutory public consultation period is an opportunity missed for the new Council to improve the manner in which local authorities communicate and engage with its citizens.”