The results of the Wicklow Commuter survey which was undertaken by Wicklow County Council last year have been released and the findings probably won’t come as much of a surprise as the issues affecting Wicklow commuters are felt all over the country. In a nutshell, people are spending a lot of time travelling to and from work every day and would take a reduction in salary to work in their local area.

The survey took place over a 5 month period between June and October 2007. 1,056 responses were received from a combination of website submissions and forms which were handed out at train and dart stations and bus stops throughout the county. The county council undertook a media campaign in local newspapers and radio to encourage participation in the survey.

Some of the main findings of the survey include:

• The average distance travelled to work – 36.41 km.
• Average journey time to work – 64 minutes.
• 36% of respondents take between 1 and 1.5 hours to travel to work.
• 25% leave before 7.00 am in the morning.
• 49.1% travel by car.
• 81.9% would prefer to work in County Wicklow.
• 59.2% would work for less money if they could work locally.
• 82.6% of those who would work locally for less money would consider an income drop of 10% or less.
• 67.9% would change job sector to work locally.

The survey also highlighted that 56% of respondents work in office based service industry. This highlights the need (according to the council) for a planning policy that facilitates the development of high quality business parks. The council findings state that these office based service industries (e.g. financial services, IT) are transferable in terms of location. Whilst the council is making good efforts to promote County Wicklow as a location for new business, the current trend of manufacturing and service industry to locate their businesses in low cost economies, will make the task more difficult.

For more details on the survey see below