Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

[Article] A1 Road upgrade 'poses crash risks'

Options
  • 03-01-2007 5:35pm
    #1
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,278 ✭✭✭✭


    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6227213.stm
    Road upgrade 'poses crash risks'

    A section of the newly-upgraded Belfast-Dublin road in County Down may pose safety risks, according to a road expert from the Automobile Association.

    The six mile Beechhill dual carriageway was built at a cost of £25m.

    However, its 'gap junctions' - where traffic from side roads joins the flow of traffic - have been described as a dated design "asking for accidents".

    The Roads Service said the new road exceeded required standards for all-purpose dual-carriageways.

    However, Andrew Howard of the AA said the section had hazardous gaps in the central reservation.

    He said the idea of allowing right-hand turns across dual-carriageways "belongs to the 1960s and 70s".

    It means traffic having to cross two lanes of oncoming traffic.

    "Junction accidents are a major killer on this type of road, and this sort of dated design is asking for such accidents," said Mr Howard.

    He added: "The flyover junctions cost a lot more, but they are a worthwhile investment when you are looking at a £1.3m cost benefit for a road death."

    Several people have been killed on the A1 in recent years while crossing from gap junctions.

    Much of the dual-carriageway is bordered by farmland and large agricultural vehicles are forced to sit in the junctions waiting for traffic to clear.


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    Agreed.

    Upgrading median crossings to GSJs shouldnt be a priority, but they certainally shouldnt be building median crossings now.

    And they certainaly shouldnt be so short sighted as to 'upgrade' them to roundabouts a' la Raddison in Limerick.


  • Options
    #3
    Zoney
    Registered Users Posts: 1,639 ✭✭✭Zoney


    Chris_533976 wrote:
    Agreed.

    Upgrading median crossings to GSJs shouldnt be a priority, but they certainally shouldnt be building median crossings now.

    And they certainaly shouldnt be so short sighted as to 'upgrade' them to roundabouts a' la Raddison in Limerick.

    That should be reasonably OK - the Coonagh Roundabout isn't much of a log-jam outside peak times - and despite the toll, a lot of traffic (particular peak times) should use the N7 SRR phase 2 which will bypass the Limerick bit of the N18 DC. At-grade junctions (i.e. with stop/yield lines) on urban DC are reasonably acceptable as long as traffic volumes aren't too high.

    In fairness, it's a bit pie in the sky to suggest plonking a GSJ on that pathetic bit of N18 DC after the Coonagh roundabout, which sits on flat flat land and has businesses along either side.


  • Options
    #4
    mysterious
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,133 ✭✭✭mysterious


    One classic thing about the A1 it's exactly like the old Naas road both carry heavy traffic and like the old Naas road had many private and at grade accesses.

    The classic difference between the upgraded Naas N7 and the proposed upgraded A1 is the New A1 is lacking a local road to service local traffic instead of having LILO everywhere or every kilometre or so. I've looked on the NI roads site. and when the A1 is completed it will have a redicously large amount GSJ every few miles...:rolleyes: I don't mind the odd LILO, but for heavens sake not that many..

    Afterall it's supposed to be and should be upgraded to HQDC to motorway standard. That road carries a large amount of traffic..

    It's 2007 and there should be no median crossings allowed on any new DC. especially on a main road such as the Belfast to Dublin route...

    The new A1(m) at sprucefield is also badly needed.. The state of the A1 compared to the M1 in the North is noticeable despite recent attempts to improve this hazordous road.


Advertisement