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Non-Official, Offline Motorway Services in Ireland

1…34689…16

Comments

  • #252
    hardCopy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    Geogregor wrote: »
    Thanks.
    It looks actually much more prominent than I expected.
    I was expecting something like in the US, a sign with small shields listening services at given exit.

    It is a really grand sign ;)

    The thing I really dislike about those brown signs is that they don't give any indication of just how far off the motorway you'll have to travel once you exit. Several times I've been caught by a filling station sign only to end up travelling 15-20km off the road to find fuel.


  • #253
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    hardCopy wrote: »
    The thing I really dislike about those brown signs is that they don't give any indication of just how far off the motorway you'll have to travel once you exit. Several times I've been caught by a filling station sign only to end up travelling 15-20km off the road to find fuel.
    indeed, if the signs which are there cannot be relied on, why on earth should someone not be expected to just pull over and go for a pee or dump on the side of the road.

    And i dont mean those of us who know its a deadly dangerous thing to do, but for others who are less convinced of the dangers of hard shoulders on motorways, it'd be a logical step to take.

    If the NRA cannot provide, or sign, toilets then to many the only option is to be self sufficient.


  • #254
    Geogregor
    Registered Users Posts: 397 ✭✭Geogregor


    hardCopy wrote: »
    The thing I really dislike about those brown signs is that they don't give any indication of just how far off the motorway you'll have to travel once you exit. Several times I've been caught by a filling station sign only to end up travelling 15-20km off the road to find fuel.

    Isn't there any official policy spelling out how close such offline services have to be to signed on the motorway?
    I would expect 1-2km distance a maximum which should be allowed.


  • #255
    Conba
    Registered Users Posts: 143 ✭✭Conba


    BTW, the Applegreen at Birdhill now has Wifi.


  • #256
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,461 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    There was wifi there too when I was there 2 weeks ago. Definately needed there as the only coverage (Vodafone anyway) is 2G


  • #257
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    Geogregor wrote: »
    Isn't there any official policy spelling out how close such offline services have to be to signed on the motorway?
    I would expect 1-2km distance a maximum which should be allowed.
    the policy is that any offline services at a "close proximity" with suitable facilities and parking and HGV area will be considered and signed as per an official rest area (so M7 Mayfield is listed as ok, M8 Cashel substandard but potential to be improved and recognised as a viable stop)
    http://www.nra.ie/policy-publications/service-areas/NRA-Service-Area-Policy-FinalAugust2014-(2).pdf


  • #258
    Conba
    Registered Users Posts: 143 ✭✭Conba


    "Pat McDonagh, founder and managing director of Supermac’s has applied to Clare County Council in relation to establishing a major motorway service and rest area. The proposed location is on Junction 12 of the M18 at Kilbreckan, Doora." ~ Clare Herald

    Not surprised. I'd say Obama Plaza is a goldmine.


  • #259
    Chris_5339762
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,964 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    Geogregor wrote: »
    Are they about to physically start the construction or did they just finalized the paperwork?

    I think station on the M8 is in perfect location, almost mid way between Dublin and Cork.

    Construction proceeding at pace on the M8 one.... forecourt shell is up.

    Sadly, as we all suspected, its small (from what I can see passing on the M8). It looks to be the same blueprints as Cashel, certainly the same number/size of buildings. Too early to see what parking would be like.


  • #260
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    Visited the m11 j14 station at Cullenmore (ashford) Wicklow and it's 100%.
    Car park / signage spot on and ample spaces. Trucks siphoned off to a separate part of the site for fueling and parking. (Translation, polar opposite of the kip which is cashel, which I also had the pleasure to visit over Christmas)
    Internally seems very similar to the official NRA applegreen sites and it was doing a good trade which isn't surprising seeing as it serves both directions, but still plenty of space.

    The only criticism of the place would be the signage on the motorway which should more clearly distinguish between proper services a rather than just junctions with a petrol station somewhere within an 15km range, which really shouldn't be signed in the first place.
    And in general, there's so many junctions "with petrol stations" that it's hard to know which are a viable non official offline option and which are just a sop to local politicians and businessmen.


  • #261
    Big Wex fan
    Registered Users Posts: 351 ✭✭Big Wex fan


    munchkin_utd wrote: »
    Visited the m11 j14 station at Cullenmore (ashford) Wicklow and it's 100%.
    Car park / signage spot on and ample spaces. Trucks siphoned off to a separate part of the site for fueling and parking. (Translation, polar opposite of the kip which is cashel, which I also had the pleasure to visit over Christmas)
    Internally seems very similar to the official NRA applegreen sites and it was doing a good trade which isn't surprising seeing as it serves both directions, but still plenty of space.

    The only criticism of the place would be the signage on the motorway which should more clearly distinguish between proper services a rather than just junctions with a petrol station somewhere within an 15km range, which really shouldn't be signed in the first place.
    And in general, there's so many junctions "with petrol stations" that it's hard to know which are a viable non official offline option and which are just a sop to local politicians and businessmen.


    The new station on the Gorey bi pass is going to have a big ass overhead signage because it's a public sponsored build. This is a private enterprise so probably not of been allowed this signage.
    On another point which I posted earlier, they used common sense using a junction already there unlike the Gorey bi pass where they've chosen probably the most expensive option possible - new bridge, exits etc. All at our(the tax payer) expense.


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  • #262
    jd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,709 ✭✭✭jd


    Big Wex fan wrote: »
    .
    On another point which I posted earlier, they used common sense using a junction already there unlike the Gorey bi pass where they've chosen probably the most expensive option possible - new bridge, exits etc. All at our(the tax payer) expense.

    Online Motorway Services are the best options where possible - you don't have motorway traffic and local traffic mixing.


  • #263
    flazio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,254 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    jd wrote: »
    Online Motorway Services are the best options where possible - you don't have motorway traffic and local traffic mixing.

    What harm can local traffic do?


  • #264
    jd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,709 ✭✭✭jd


    flazio wrote: »
    What harm can local traffic do?
    It's more the addition of HGVs etc on to the local road network. It's a shame the Service Areas could not have been built when the motorways were built.


  • #265
    loyatemu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,112 ✭✭✭✭loyatemu


    Big Wex fan wrote: »
    On another point which I posted earlier, they used common sense using a junction already there unlike the Gorey bi pass where they've chosen probably the most expensive option possible - new bridge, exits etc. All at our(the tax payer) expense.

    The junction at Cullenmore might as well have been built for the services, it's hardly used by anyone else. The only notable thing in Cullenmore was the hotel, which was already closed when the road was built.


  • #266
    D Trent
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭D Trent


    flazio wrote: »
    What harm can local traffic do?

    You have granny O'Dwyer from up the road who has never brought her Micra on a national road never mind a motorway heading down to this 'fine new specimen' of a store called green apples or something to that effect.
    And when she heads back home she takes a wrong turn because them road signs are 'for the young folk with the good eyesight'
    Low and behold granny O'Dwyer is travelling northbound on a southbound carriageway of a motorway


  • #267
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    D Trent wrote: »
    You have granny O'Dwyer from up the road who has never brought her Micra on a national road never mind a motorway heading down to this 'fine new specimen' of a store called green apples or something to that effect.
    And when she heads back home she takes a wrong turn because them road signs are 'for the young folk with the good eyesight'
    Low and behold granny O'Dwyer is travelling northbound on a southbound carriageway of a motorway
    Mrs O'Dwyer can't travel northbound on a southbound carriageway of a motorway, because there isn't one. Its a DC to Newtownmountkennedy, the old road is obliterated by this.


  • #268
    veryangryman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,602 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    Mrs O'Dwyer can't travel northbound on a southbound carriageway of a motorway, because there isn't one. Its a DC to Newtownmountkennedy, the old road is obliterated by this.

    Just as dangerous going the wrong way on a DC, especially one sandwiched between Motorways where many cars do push the limit a bit.


  • #269
    Geogregor
    Registered Users Posts: 397 ✭✭Geogregor


    D Trent wrote: »
    You have granny O'Dwyer from up the road who has never brought her Micra on a national road never mind a motorway heading down to this 'fine new specimen' of a store called green apples or something to that effect.
    And when she heads back home she takes a wrong turn because them road signs are 'for the young folk with the good eyesight'
    Low and behold granny O'Dwyer is travelling northbound on a southbound carriageway of a motorway

    This is absolutely stupid explanation. Granny O'Dwyer has the same chance of driving wrong way up the motorway on junction with MSA or without.
    Off-line MSA are just attached to existing junctions which according to your line of thinking should be confusing scores old folks on a daily basis.


  • #270
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,560 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    D Trent wrote: »
    You have granny O'Dwyer from up the road who has never brought her Micra on a national road never mind a motorway heading down to this 'fine new specimen' of a store called green apples or something to that effect.
    And when she heads back home she takes a wrong turn because them road signs are 'for the young folk with the good eyesight'
    Low and behold granny O'Dwyer is travelling northbound on a southbound carriageway of a motorway

    Granny O'Dwyer needs her licence taken off her, and her doctor needs to have his ability to issue medical certs for driving removed from him for not having the balls to deny people.

    And this needs to be done due to proper policing in the first place, not after an incident.


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  • #271
    Big Wex fan
    Registered Users Posts: 351 ✭✭Big Wex fan


    jd wrote: »
    Online Motorway Services are the best options where possible - you don't have motorway traffic and local traffic mixing.

    Don't see the issue here. The M11 service areas are not exactly getting Red Cow junction volumes of traffic.


  • #272
    Schadenfreudia
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    L1011 wrote: »
    Granny O'Dwyer needs her licence taken off her, and her doctor needs to have his ability to issue medical certs for driving removed from him for not having the balls to deny people.

    And this needs to be done due to proper policing in the first place, not after an incident.

    Actually Granny is probably in the local cemetery by now along with that other poor sod that hit her.


  • #273
    veryangryman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,602 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    Schadenfreudia wrote: »
    Actually Granny is probably in the local cemetery by now along with that other poor sod that hit her.

    I smell a sitcom! :pac:


  • #274
    jd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,709 ✭✭✭jd


    Big Wex fan wrote: »
    Don't see the issue here. The M11 service areas are not exactly getting Red Cow junction volumes of traffic.

    M11 traffic will increase and the town of Gorey will get bigger. There is heavy local traffic around the Courtown exit, for example.
    We are building something for a design life of 30+ years, as I said it's a shame the NRA was not allowed have proper online service stations as part of the motorways when they were designed.


  • #275
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    This post has been deleted.


  • #276
    jd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,709 ✭✭✭jd


    Patww79 wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    So do I - there is quite a bit of local traffic between Gorey and Courtown, and also Gorey/Courtown on to R741


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  • #277
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    jd wrote: »
    M11 traffic will increase and the town of Gorey will get bigger. There is heavy local traffic around the Courtown exit, for example.
    We are building something for a design life of 30+ years, as I said it's a shame the NRA was not allowed have proper online service stations as part of the motorways when they were designed.
    The junction at Cullenmore may well be one of the quitest junctions on the Motorway network as it doesnt even serve a village let alone a town, so tacking on a service area there is of little conequence.

    Adding an Ikea or Liffey Valley/ Blanchardstown centre/ Mahon point onto a motorway causes potential chaos as you are generating extra traffic on the road system drawn to the locations.

    But a service area? Thats only used by folks on the road anyhow so on quieter junctions there's little issues with adding one, either related to the mainline road or the junction capacity in itsself.


  • #278
    jd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,709 ✭✭✭jd


    munchkin_utd wrote: »
    The junction at Cullenmore may well be one of the quitest junctions on the Motorway network as it doesnt even serve a village let alone a town, so tacking on a service area there is of little conequence.

    Adding an Ikea or Liffey Valley/ Blanchardstown centre/ Mahon point onto a motorway causes potential chaos as you are generating extra traffic on the road system drawn to the locations.

    But a service area? Thats only used by folks on the road anyhow so on quieter junctions there's little issues with adding one, either related to the mainline road or the junction capacity in itsself.
    I've no issue with the service area at the Cullenmore junction - I'm not sure tacking one on to one of the Gorey junctions would have been a good idea.


  • #279
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    This post has been deleted.


  • #280
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    There could easily have been one south or north of the Arklow bypass.
    South,
    in the 2 fields in the middle of this
    https://www.google.ie/maps/@52.7719681,-6.186953,775m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
    have a left turn exit off the r772 into the service station
    Moving the rab exit further clockwise; and having an exit from the service station onto the rab.


  • #281
    mountcisco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 120 ✭✭mountcisco


    An Bord Pleanala has given the go-ahead for an offline service area adjacent to Junction 7 Paulstown on M9


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  • #282
    jd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,709 ✭✭✭jd


    mountcisco wrote: »
    An Bord Pleanala has given the go-ahead for an offline service area adjacent to Junction 7 Paulstown on M9
    Is there a link to that? I presume the motor factors etc wasn't given permission.


  • #283
    radharc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 969 ✭✭✭radharc


    jd wrote: »
    Is there a link to that? I presume the motor factors etc wasn't given permission.

    http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/243782.htm


  • #284
    mountcisco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 120 ✭✭mountcisco


    jd wrote: »
    Is there a link to that? I presume the motor factors etc wasn't given permission.

    Can't see anything about retail except the convenience store area was reduced to 90 sq m and they've got to use the freed up space for play/information area, so looks like motor factor got the go-ahead.


  • #285
    D Trent
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭D Trent


    Clonshaugh has come out well
    https://m.facebook.com/supermacsofficial?refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsupermacsofficial#!/photo.php?fbid=10153376357839879&id=116003279878&set=pb.116003279878.-2207520000.1422467044.&source=54


  • #286
    Schadenfreudia
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    Driving to Cork from Dub tonight needed fuel, approaching the Cahir junction on the M8 - sign for all services.

    As soon as you reach the off-ramp roundabout - no signs whatsoever for which direction the services are in. :mad:

    "f**k that" said I (silently to myself) and rejoined the M8 - continued on to Mitchlestown where at least I knew where the nearest pump was.


  • #287
    Pete_Cavan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,043 ✭✭✭Pete_Cavan


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    There could easily have been one south or north of the Arklow bypass.
    South,
    in the 2 fields in the middle of this
    https://www.google.ie/maps/@52.7719681,-6.186953,775m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
    have a left turn exit off the r772 into the service station
    Moving the rab exit further clockwise; and having an exit from the service station onto the rab.

    I dont think motorway junctions like that are suitable for MSAs, they will already have passing traffic which is not using the motorway and will attract more. Junctions where there is only one road leading to and from the junction would be more suitable because anyone other than those going to/coming from the motorway would be going out of their way to get there so it is unlikely to attract much local traffic. J5 on the M8, j14 on the M6 and j8 on the M3 would be ideal places to build MSAs without having to build a new bridge.


  • #288
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    Schadenfreudia wrote: »
    Driving to Cork from Dub tonight needed fuel, approaching the Cahir junction on the M8 - sign for all services.

    As soon as you reach the off-ramp roundabout - no signs whatsoever for which direction the services are in. :mad:

    "f**k that" said I (silently to myself) and rejoined the M8 - continued on to Mitchlestown where at least I knew where the nearest pump was.
    I mailed the NRA about a similar junction nearer Portlaoise a few years back, and the answer is that the local council is responsible.

    now........
    They, the local council, normally made up of local business men and their best chums, were the ones to push to have every town signed as a mecca for shopping and leisure along the motorway with the poxy brown signs.

    Isn't it kindof ironic that they got their way that the motorway traffic is directed off the motorway and folks do try to visit their towns, but they are too inept to actually put up a sign on their own patch meaning countless aborted spins to fill their coffers.


  • #289
    hi5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,107 ✭✭✭hi5


    munchkin_utd wrote: »
    Isn't it kindof ironic that they got their way that the motorway traffic is directed off the motorway and folks do try to visit their towns, but they are too inept to actually put up a sign on their own patch meaning countless aborted spins to fill their coffers.

    Its the parochial mind set, "sure doesn't everyone know where the petrol station is":rolleyes:


  • #290
    Schadenfreudia
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    hi5 wrote: »
    Its the parochial mind set, "sure doesn't everyone know where the petrol station is":rolleyes:

    And in the case of Mitchlestown, even though it's not my parish, that was the case with me!


  • #291
    cargo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,216 ✭✭✭cargo


    http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/10m-investment-by-topaz-to-create-110-jobs-30971229.html

    "The second station, which is located in the Ballacolla region of Co Laois on the M8 motorway, will officially open on Monday with 65 new jobs in place."

    This is the one adjacent to junction 3. (beside Manor Stone). It will probably replace the quick trip into Urlingford for a lot of people travelling betwen Cork and Dublin looking for a break.


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  • #292
    Chris_5339762
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,964 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    Good news, even though I have my reservations about this being just another Cashel... ie: too small with nowhere near enough parking.


  • #293
    cargo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,216 ✭✭✭cargo


    Chris_5339762 wrote: »
    Good news, even though I have my reservations about this being just another Cashel... ie: too small with nowhere near enough parking.

    It was hard tell while it was been built as there was machinery everywhere and I havent passed in a while.

    But now that i think back to the last time i passed there was machines laying parts of the car park and they were a fair bit away from the shell of the building so there should be a fair bit of parking around the back.


  • #294
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,560 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    What remains of Josephines is likely screwed now...


  • #295
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    Chris_5339762 wrote: »
    Good news, even though I have my reservations about this being just another Cashel... ie: too small with nowhere near enough parking.
    seems to have better parking PLUS has the HGVs siphoned off away from car traffic.

    heres the general plans from the application file:
    http://www.laois.ie/ePlan41/FileRefDetails.aspx?file_number=1497&LASiteID=0

    getimage?cat=iDocs&item=461608.djvu&wid=600&hei=500&rgn=-0.1841505131,0.0973424602,1.1841505131,0.9026575398&oif=jpeg&page=0


  • #296
    cargo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,216 ✭✭✭cargo


    Chris_5339762 wrote: »
    Good news, even though I have my reservations about this being just another Cashel... ie: too small with nowhere near enough parking.

    Did you get any photos when you were there? Is the parking too small for all vehicles or do you mean just not enough room for trucks?


  • #297
    Geogregor
    Registered Users Posts: 397 ✭✭Geogregor


    cargo wrote: »
    Did you get any photos when you were there? Is the parking too small for all vehicles or do you mean just not enough room for trucks?

    Yeah, pictures would be nice. I really would like to know how these knew offline services look like. Same with Obama Plaza and some others.

    Next time anyone drives by could you guys make some effort and take some shots?


  • #298
    Schadenfreudia
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    Went up and down the N11 today and work is well advanced on the Gorey service area (as it is on the Wicklow - Arklow M11).

    Maybe my sense of distance is off but the service area seems much closer to Arklow than Gorey - so why is it not called the Arklow service area?


  • #299
    ofthepass
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭ofthepass


    Schadenfreudia wrote: »
    Went up and down the N11 today and work is well advanced on the Gorey service area (as it is on the Wicklow - Arklow M11).

    Maybe my sense of distance is off but the service area seems much closer to Arklow than Gorey - so why is it not called the Arklow service area?

    It probably is closer to Arklow but it's in Gorey district so I guess that explains the naming.


  • #300
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    cargo wrote: »
    http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/10m-investment-by-topaz-to-create-110-jobs-30971229.html

    "The second station, which is located in the Ballacolla region of Co Laois on the M8 motorway, will officially open on Monday with 65 new jobs in place."

    This is the one adjacent to junction 3. (beside Manor Stone). It will probably replace the quick trip into Urlingford for a lot of people travelling betwen Cork and Dublin looking for a break.
    The official opening happened last Friday the 13th according to topaz facebook site.
    https://www.facebook.com/TopazEnergy/photos/a.215111211850056.70903.209407355753775/1016436818384154/?type=1


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  • #301
    niloc1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,058 ✭✭✭niloc1951


    munchkin_utd wrote: »
    The official opening happened last Friday the 13th according to topaz facebook site.
    https://www.facebook.com/TopazEnergy/photos/a.215111211850056.70903.209407355753775/1016436818384154/?type=1

    I came down that way on Sunday night and noticed the glow in the dark as I passed........................................did't notice and advance signs or signs at the exit for it though.


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