he Kildare National Roads Design Office is proposing to build a new motorway standard road from Tallaght to Hollywood in west Wicklow (population 500) through some of the most scenic Irish countryside in the Slade Valley, Blessington Lake and Glen Ding areas.

There is no denying that existing roads need upgrading, particularly at Jobstown, the Embankment, Crooksling and Brittas. But the motorway proposal is a hangover from the Celtic Tiger era when there were inflated population, economic and traffic growth expectations.

It is time we started planning more useful, sustainable and cost-effective projects. An extension of the Luas line beyond Saggart to the Naas/ Blessington area would be a good place to start.

Frank Schnittger
Blessington, Co Wicklow