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article NDP DELIVERING IN WICKLOW In 2004, over €8 billion was invested nationally under the National Development Plan (NDP). This brings investment in the first five years of the NDP to an estimated €36 billion nationwide. The NDP is funded primarily by the Exchequer with support from the EU Structural Funds. NDP investment in County Wicklow includes:- The N11 Ashford-Rathnew Bypass (13.6km of road from Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarny) opened in September. The road removes an estimated 20,000 vehicles a day from the villages of Ashford and Rathnew. Journey times have been cut by up to 30 minutes on the Dublin to Rosslare route following the opening of the road. Construction of the N11 Enniskerry Footbridge is due to start early 2005 and the route selection process is currently being finalised on the N11 Kilpedder Interchange. Other projects in planning include the N11 Rathnew to Arklow. Over €11.7 million was allocated to non-national roads in Wicklow in 2004. The funding was designated for work on projects such as the LP1048 Kilcoole - N11 Link Road, L4309 Dunlavin to Usk Road, R752 Rathdrum (Corballis Upper) and the R755 Roundwood to Annamoe Road. Under Water Services, Wicklow County Council is delivering water and waste water (sewerage) schemes with a budget of some €200 million. Major projects include new water supply and sewerage schemes for Arklow, Wicklow, West Wicklow and Newtownmountkennedy together with schemes for a number of other towns and villages through the county. Since 2000 over €7 million has been approved for childcare facilities, supports for staffing, capacity building and the general improvement of childcare provision in Wicklow. Childcare services in County Wicklow which have benefited from support include:- Pipers Lane Creche, Manor Kilbride; Bray Community Playgroup; Kids Aloud School Aged Childcare, Baltinglass; Jelly Beans, Arklow; Pebbles Childcare, Greystones and A Place to Grow, Wicklow Town. Wicklow Rural Transport is continuing to provide transport services around the county. There are 10 fixed routes in operation providing services throughout the south and west of the county. Services are provided to Tinahely, Aughrim, Arklow, Baltinglass, Blessington, Shillelagh, Carnew, Gorey, Carlow, Tallaght and Newbridge from the surrounding hinterlands. Wicklow County Enterprise Board has paid grant aid of €392,919 in 2004 to small and micro enterprises in the county. Notable projects supported since 2000, which have resulted in the creation of new employment and capital investment, include Visualise Ltd. Bray and Instrumentation & Calibration Services in Wicklow Town. The CEB continued to support enterprise through the provision of training initiatives and mentoring services. Villages that have benefited under the urban and renewal scheme to date include Roundwood, Eniskerry, Carnew, Kiltegan, Newtownmountkennedy, Kilcoole, Coolboy, Banilaclash, Glenealy, Hollywood and Straford-on-Slaney. A number of centres in Co. Wicklow are set to benefit from the Government's Broadband Rollout Programme, which is addressing the need for high-speed infrastructure to provide always-on access to the Internet. Funding will be made available to Wicklow County Council for broadband networks in Kilcoole, Enniskerry, Newtownmountkennedy and Blessington. DSL broadband is already available in a number of towns, including Bray, Arklow, Greystones and Wicklow Town. These projects are funded under the Government's Regional Broadband Programme and are co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Youthreach is part of a national programme of second-chance education and training. It is aimed at people who left school early and aims to give them the opportunity of building their self-confidence and gaining a range of qualifications. Youthreach Programmes are available in Bray, Arklow and Wicklow Town. Social housing schemes under construction in 2004 include Newtownmountkennedy, Barndarrig Roundwood Avoca Carnew Tinahely and Rathnew Phase 3. In addition affordable housing schemes are underway at Newtownmountkennedy, Roundwood and Barndarrig. To date social housing schemes, which have been completed include Blessington, Rathnew, Aughrim and Tinahely and affordable housing schemes have been completed at Kilcoole and Blessington. The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme continues to fund Bray Partnership, Arklow Community Enterprise and Wicklow Working Together. These organisations focus on job creation, placement and training in the most marginalised communities in the county and also provide support for young people through education. Kippure Outdoor Pursuits, Blessington and Wicklow Mountain Sustainable Ways Network have been allocated funding under the Tourism Product Development Scheme. “Significant progress has been made over the first five years of the NDP. As each year goes by we can see the impact of this investment on the ground. Government Departments, state agencies, local authorities, VECs, county enterprise boards, FAS and community groups are all involved in the successful delivery of the NDP at a local level.” an NDP spokesperson said. The National Development Plan aims to improve the quality of life for everybody by investing in infrastructure, people, industry & enterprise and regional development.
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