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
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

TII Motorway Service Areas (MSA) Progress Thread

13567…31

Comments

  • #102
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Geogregor wrote: »
    Guys could you do some list or map of planned MSA?
    Which ones are under construction, which ones are leased but just awaiting construction to start, which ones are in the design process, and which ones are, as we say in Poland, "deep in the forest"

    Some of the names are meaningless for me ;)
    You'll find the location maps in the documents here


  • #103
    scotthallBMW
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭scotthallBMW


    Bluetonic wrote: »
    Apple bought a Burger King franchise for all the restaurants, however as a minimum as part of the contract they must run/open 12 Burger Kings so as well as the service stations some of the existing Apple garages convenience stores will be changed in Burger Kings. Any new service stations on the motorways that Apple/Top/Davy operate will be Burger Kings.

    Its not often the Golden Arches are usurped, are you sure its not McDonalds? they are usually the first at every cross roads. Nothing on Applegreens web site on the Restaurant offer, maybe its wimpy if they have that franshise, you'd think they'd be shouting about it if so

    sh


  • #104
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    scotthallBMW wrote: »
    Its not often the Golden Arches are usurped, are you sure its not McDonalds? they are usually the first at every cross roads. Nothing on Applegreens web site on the Restaurant offer, maybe its wimpy if they have that franshise, you'd think they'd be shouting about it if so

    sh
    It's Burger King, 100%.

    I was told by someone who is working on the project in a professional level


  • #105
    Irish and Proud
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭Irish and Proud


    Bluetonic wrote: »
    It's Burger King, 100%.

    I was told by someone who is working on the project in a professional level

    FFS, I'd rather McDonald's - Don't like Burger King! :(


  • #106
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    I'd a look at the M1 MSA's at Ballough t'other day. They have the kerbing down for the off ramp and a decent amount of the on ramp, It looks fairly narrow, compared to the off ramp at the Courtlough junction, but that may be by design to get people to slow down quickly. the Northbound MSA is being fenced off with pallisade fencing and the HS is cone-d off
    I might try get some pics in the morning if it's bright and dry.


  • #107
    101sean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,884 ✭✭✭101sean


    Was on the R692 Fethard Road crossing the M8 at Cashel the other day and noticed that the direction signs on the new roundabout have brown service area signs on them even though they've not started building it yet.


  • #108
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    I might try get some pics in the morning if it's bright and dry.
    Two here from Balbriggan.net

    motorwayservice09a.jpg

    motorwayservice09b.jpg


  • #109
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    The wearing course is down on the M1S msa at lusk and there's tarmac down on the Northbound MSA too- it was wet so I could only see steam and not what level of tarmac was there. I've drive by videos of both, I've to figure out how to host them maybe a infrastructure board a/c on youtube if I can make one.


  • #110
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Full slips are now in place at all three pairs but they haven't adjusted the road markings yet (so theres still solid yellow). Steel frame of the building is up w/b on the M4 one now.


  • #111
    cargo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,216 ✭✭✭cargo


    NB steel structure taking shape also at the two M1 MSA's at Ballough and also Dundalk. Wasn't much progress over the Christmas period. I think they had a full break on both sites.


  • Advertisement
  • #112
    Chris_5339762
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    I still cant see what all the fuss is about these MSAs and why they are crying money when it comes to them.

    Just driving past a few in England a few days ago, all they are is a shop and a petrol station and a toilet. They shouldnt cost the outrageous amount of money they are costing. They are quick and simple to build but are one of the most useful things on the motorway.


  • #113
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    The UK MSAs are a lot more complex than ours even! General standard for one in the UK is a petrol station and a large facilities building - which you may have missed if you thought it was just a petrol station. Our ones are going to be just big petrol stations


  • #114
    marmurr1916
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭marmurr1916


    MYOB wrote: »
    The UK MSAs are a lot more complex than ours even! General standard for one in the UK is a petrol station and a large facilities building - which you may have missed if you thought it was just a petrol station. Our ones are going to be just big petrol stations

    Some of the MSAs in the UK have hotels!

    All we'll need in Ireland is MSAs with petrol stations, shops, cafés, toilets, and maybe secure overnight parking for trucks.

    The longest possible motorway journey in Ireland will be from Cork to north of Dundalk, and even that has a dual-carriageway section between Naas and the M50.

    In the UK you can go from Exeter to Glasgow or Folkestone to Glasgow by motorway - slightly longer journeys!


  • #115
    murpho999
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,536 ✭✭✭✭murpho999


    Really not happy about there only being a Burger King available.

    I don't eat their rubbish and would appreciate a lot more choice.
    Absolute disgrace, so much for a Government agency promoting healthy eatiing.

    Also, can't understand why the NRA should fund the building and then hand it to a private enterprise for them to cream the profits.

    Finally, think in a way that NRA's original policy of no service areas was not that bad, as there are plenty of places near exits off motorways, and this leads to better safety as there will be less exit lanes etc.

    For some perspective, USA has a huge interstate network with absolutely no service areas on the roads. You can drive from New York to LA and you must exit the road for services!


  • #116
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    marmurr1916 wrote: »
    In the UK you can go from Exeter to Glasgow or Folkestone to Glasgow by motorway - slightly longer journeys!

    You can also go from London to Birmingham, passing about half a dozen service stations. Contrast that with Dublin to Galway, just one!


  • #117
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    MYOB wrote: »
    The UK MSAs are a lot more complex than ours even! General standard for one in the UK is a petrol station and a large facilities building - which you may have missed if you thought it was just a petrol station. Our ones are going to be just big petrol stations

    Many of those MSAs share the (non vehicle) facilities between both carriageways, one building with a pedestrian bridge or even on the bridge.


  • #118
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    murpho999 wrote: »
    Really not happy about there only being a Burger King available.

    I don't eat their rubbish and would appreciate a lot more choice.
    Absolute disgrace, so much for a Government agency promoting healthy eatiing.

    Also, can't understand why the NRA should fund the building and then hand it to a private enterprise for them to cream the profits.

    Finally, think in a way that NRA's original policy of no service areas was not that bad, as there are plenty of places near exits off motorways, and this leads to better safety as there will be less exit lanes etc.

    For some perspective, USA has a huge interstate network with absolutely no service areas on the roads. You can drive from New York to LA and you must exit the road for services!

    +1

    There really should be a wider choice of food available, even a sandwich van in the carpark would improve it!

    As for the US, the network is so large and distances so great that it would be almost impossible to place them correctly, on an 8 hour journey five minutes of off motorway driving makes little difference.


  • #119
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    There will be plenty of sandwiches available on the sites, in the Applegreen shops. No one is forcing you to eat a Burger King if your hungry as there will be choice.

    Also plenty of people eat Burger King and remain at a normal weight and healthy.


  • #120
    marmurr1916
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭marmurr1916


    Deleted User wrote: »
    You can also go from London to Birmingham, passing about half a dozen service stations. Contrast that with Dublin to Galway, just one!

    I know - but look at the population of Birmingham and London combined - about 3 times the population of Ireland!

    That route could do with one MSA on the Dublin side of Kinnegad (somewhere west of the M4 toll), plus another one between Athlone and Ballinasloe.

    One MSA roughly every 50 to 60kms would be plenty for the time being if the NRA can get their act together to sort that out.

    Here's an article from 2000 about MSAs across Europe. I wonder if anything has changed in the past 10 years?
    Britain's motorway service stations are among the worst in Europe, according to a survey by motoring organisations published yesterday.

    Inspectors placed them eighth out of nine countries, ahead only of Spain. The food in the British facilities was considered sub-standard and expensive, while the service was poor. Motorway services in Germany were considered to be the best, followed by those in Switzerland and Holland.

    Of the 10 British service stations inspected, five were rated "acceptable" and three "poor". The two rated "very poor" were Granada Woolley Edge, on the M1 between junctions 38 and 39, where the food and the toilets came under fire from inspectors, and First Motorway Services Bolton on the M61 between junctions six and eight, where the toilets were also said to be unclean and where there were inadequate "outdoor" facilities. The tests took place over the Easter holidays, with each service area visited twice

    The research by the Automobile Association (AA) and other European motoring organisations praised the British services for their access roads, internal layout, signposting and shops, but found them expensive, with sub-standard service. Almost all were considered poor for pedestrian safety in the car parks.

    Although the range of food on offer was considered to be good, its quality was not. The best food was found at service areas in France, Italy and Spain, but these countries performed poorly in hygiene tests, where inspectors took swabs from handles, surfaces and nappy-changing tables.


    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/substandard-motorway-services-are-some-of-the-worst-in-europe-714444.html


  • Advertisement
  • #121
    murpho999
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,536 ✭✭✭✭murpho999


    Bluetonic wrote: »
    There will be plenty of sandwiches available on the sites, in the Applegreen shops. No one is forcing you to eat a Burger King if your hungry as there will be choice.

    Also plenty of people eat Burger King and remain at a normal weight and healthy.

    Ok, but what if I want a warm meal. My only choice is a processed burger?

    What if I want a breakfast?

    They should be either food courts with different choices or a Cafe with a menu.


  • #122
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    marmurr1916 wrote: »
    I know - but look at the population of Birmingham and London combined - about 3 times the population of Ireland!

    True, but it also has a lot to do with the fact that cars in the 50s when the requirements were written being less reliable etc. But the Irish motorways originally had no provision at all!
    marmurr1916 wrote: »

    Here's an article from 2000 about MSAs across Europe. I wonder if anything has changed in the past 10 years?




    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/substandard-motorway-services-are-some-of-the-worst-in-europe-714444.html

    You're mixing up quality and quantity, this discussion is more about whether they are there or not


  • #123
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    People complaining about Service Areas along the M1 have obviously never driven it without knowing the surrounding area. When I first moved to Dublin, the only petrol stations I knew about were the ones at the airport and the one at Ballymascanlon near the border. I had absolutely no idea where to stop in between if I needed any petrol, and that was a slightly worrying thing for me, a person who finds it easy to navigate areas they don't know. Tourists or drivers without that capability would be completely screwed on the Belfast to Dublin journey, and a couple of Service areas are exactly what is needed to alleviate this. As far as I'm concerned, the possibility of food etc is just a luxury on the top, the petrol station (and possibly toilet!) is the important bit.


  • #124
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    If I can find the ten hours or so required to finish it, I've a part-finished site and domain name for a website detailing the nearest 24hr fuel stations to most motorway/HQDC exits in Ireland... not all that useful when driving but if you looked at it in advance of going on a trip it'd be handy!


  • #125
    KevR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,110 ✭✭✭KevR


    The service station on the Ballybrit Dual Carriageway in Galway put up signs when the M6 opened saying "last filling station until Dublin". A bit of a dramatic claim but there is some truth in it nonetheless in that you would have to exit of at a junction and go looking for a filling station elsewhere along the way.


  • #126
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    murpho999 wrote: »
    Ok, but what if I want a warm meal. My only choice is a processed burger?
    No it's not. Before you come back with your reply why not research what existing hot foods Applegreen have available, where you can sit in their cafeateria and enjoy your meal.

    locations-header.jpg
    murpho999 wrote: »
    What if I want a breakfast?
    There are plenty of options for breakfast. Again why not research what Applegreen currently provide.

    I understand there is a chance someone will come back with some retort along the lines of what if I want x, y and z. Such is life.


  • Advertisement
  • #127
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    I was in an Applegreen today to get my lunch, a little later than the standard lunch rush (it was 3.30). Hot food options were:

    1: A prepacked but toasted on site panini

    And, erm.... nothing else. Admittedly its not a fully specced out one - it appears to have been a Texaco or similar in recent history and its not even on their website yet but its branded inside / staff uniforms / own-brand products as Applegreen, not one of their discount brands. Also has the seating area for eating and the like.

    One thing the UK MSAs have in their favour is that you can get the generic "something and chips" meal choices from the restuarant about 18 hours a day.


  • #128
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Also noticed this linked off Applegreen's website:

    www.superstop.ie

    Notice the mockup image at the top has Applegreen on the forecourt cover? I thought TOP were going to do the fuel and Applegreen the facilities block? Bit weird for them to be in the consortium if they're not actually selling the fuel...


  • #129
    thetonynator
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,234 ✭✭✭thetonynator


    since the new section of the motorway opened from kilculeen to carlow, you now drive from dublin to the far side of carlow, with the only stop on the naas dual carridgeway just after dublin. before the autumn, it''ll be the whole way to waterford, and the only way to stop is to re-enter castledermot or some other nightmare gridlock to take a break. this should be on the ranting and raving forum!!!


  • #130
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    thetonynator wrote: »
    since the new section of the motorway opened from kilculeen to carlow, you now drive from dublin to the far side of carlow, with the only stop on the naas dual carridgeway just after dublin. before the autumn, it''ll be the whole way to waterford, and the only way to stop is to re-enter castledermot or some other nightmare gridlock to take a break. this should be on the ranting and raving forum!!!

    Sure if you drive from Naas to Waterford as it is you only pass three petrol stations and a shop with pumps on the way down (and another station + another shop with pumps on the way back up, Thomastown's 1 way system). Its already a terribly poorly served route. Most of the large stations on it closed after the motorway was announced.


  • #131
    nordydan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,107 ✭✭✭nordydan


    KevR wrote: »
    The service station on the Ballybrit Dual Carriageway in Galway put up signs when the M6 opened saying "last filling station until Dublin". A bit of a dramatic claim but there is some truth in it nonetheless in that you would have to exit of at a junction and go looking for a filling station elsewhere along the way.

    There was a sign heading out from Dublin on the N81 towards Tallaght (just before the M50) that stated last petrol before Newry. Now that reallyis pushing it!


  • Advertisement
  • #132
    Chris_5339762
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    Cork to Newry will have only 1 station if the Newry bypass opens before the M1 MSAs and the last bit of the M8 is done quickly :D


  • #133
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Chris_5339762 wrote: »
    Cork to Newry will have only 1 station if the Newry bypass opens before the M1 MSAs and the last bit of the M8 is done quickly :D

    2 surely? Esso Beaufort and Esso Joels...

    Both within 15km of each other though!


  • #134
    spacetweek
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,144 Mod ✭✭✭✭spacetweek


    murpho999 wrote: »
    Really not happy about there only being a Burger King available.

    I don't eat their rubbish and would appreciate a lot more choice.
    Absolute disgrace, so much for a Government agency promoting healthy eatiing.
    Who said there'd just be a Burger King? Petrol stations always have deli/hot food counters and sambos. Nothing wrong with those :)
    murpho999 wrote:
    Also, can't understand why the NRA should fund the building and then hand it to a private enterprise for them to cream the profits.
    Can someone clarify if this is the case? In particular, who will maintain ownership of the buildings when they are complete? Are the services operators just renting? In which case the NRA will be making money from it.


  • #135
    Absurdum
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,445 ✭✭✭Absurdum


    spacetweek wrote: »
    Who said there'd just be a Burger King? Petrol stations always have deli/hot food counters and sambos. Nothing wrong with those :)

    they usually have very limited opening times


  • #136
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    spacetweek wrote: »
    Who said there'd just be a Burger King? Petrol stations always have deli/hot food counters and sambos. Nothing wrong with those :)
    .
    Hopefully that's the case, they it will satisfy the majority of "customers" (for most, stopping at a service station is a necessity not a choice).
    As a regular commuter on the M4, I think that the chances of me needing to stop at the service station near Enfield are almost zero. If I'm going anywhere else in the country from Athlone I'm unlikely to pass any of them.


  • #137
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    M1 Southbound from last Friday

    Bad quality but you can see the steel structure taking place which will the service station and food court.


  • #138
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Drove by the M1 South today and the underground fuel reserve tans were being delivered.

    Plus http://applegreen.ie/jobs/motorway


  • #139
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    New newsletter:

    http://superstop.ie/images/SuperStop-Newsletter-Summer10.pdf


  • #140
    Tech3
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,010 ✭✭✭Tech3


    Good newsletter and the picture showing the whole site.

    No heatlhy options on the MSA. I guess well have to settle for a whopper meal!


  • #141
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Canopy structures were up on M4 Eastbound last week.


  • Advertisement
  • #142
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Here's the latest from Ballough.

    First four photos taken looking north, the last one taken looking south with the Sugar Loaf and Poolbeg chimneys in the distance.

    Just taken with a normal point and click camera from a distance. As a side note the area to the left of the third picture is the site of the new dump and also the uncompleted power line between Swords and Balbriggan can be seen.


  • #143
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    I've just emailed the NRA looking for an update on the other MSAs. I don't expect too much information from them, but it is great to see some almost ready. I note the summer 2010 newsletter shows pictures from last spring (probably late February or March), so you'd have to think the projects have all come on a long way since then. Still, the M6 and M8 badly need some services NOW.
    Nothing seems to be happening at M8 junction 8, where McDonalds and Topaz are supposed to building. The site looks like it hasn't been touched since last November.


  • #144
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Furet wrote: »
    I note the summer 2010 newsletter shows pictures from last spring (probably late February or March), so you'd have to think the projects have all come on a long way since then. Still, the M6 and M8 badly need some services NOW.
    They have started some landscaping over the the last two weeks on the M1 @ Ballough. Lots of soil on site being put into place, some of it to block views from the M1 onto the site which can only be a good thing to stop wandering eyes.


  • #145
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Bluetonic wrote: »
    They have started some landscaping over the the last two weeks on the M1 @ Ballough. Lots of soil on site being put into place, some of it to block views from the M1 onto the site which can only be a good thing to stop wandering eyes.

    Those are probably bunds, mounds to block noise and to shield the MSA.


  • #146
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Furet wrote: »
    Those are probably bunds, mounds to block noise and to shield the MSA.
    Perhaps.

    Added bonus so preventing onlookers peering in. The construction site attracts some about of breaking from passing motorists as it is!


  • #147
    Jayuu
    Registered Users Posts: 761 ✭✭✭Jayuu


    Somebody (NRA, I suppose) has put up a few signs on the N7/M7/M8 indicating the lack of online services areas. There is one on the N7 just before Naas and one on the new M8 just after it starts.

    I assume that would more or less indicate the there are no plans to provide any in the short term.


  • #148
    Chris_5339762
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    As far as I know they arent. All the other MSAs have been canned. The PPPs will provide for one on the M20 (way too close to Cork btw) and one on the M11. No plans for anything on the M8 anymore.


  • #149
    freighter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 332 ✭✭freighter


    Its a tough call i think. I spent many years driving trucks in the uk and went to these services daily. I think the food is only average as its either burger king or kfc:(. In saying that there is no where really nice between dublin and cork to stop now.

    At least they have showers and good parking to keep everyone happy...


  • #150
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Chris_5339762 wrote: »
    As far as I know they arent. All the other MSAs have been canned. The PPPs will provide for one on the M20 (way too close to Cork btw) and one on the M11. No plans for anything on the M8 anymore.

    There are plans Chris, the MSA's haven't been cancelled, just indefinitely postponed. OK, people can scoff at that (for all the good that scoffing does), but they will be built eventually.


  • Advertisement
  • #151
    wellbutty
    Closed Accounts Posts: 478 ✭✭wellbutty


    BluntGuy wrote: »
    New newsletter:

    http://superstop.ie/images/SuperStop-Newsletter-Summer10.pdf

    With an overpass just beside it, I would've thought it would be cheaper to build just one service station and two new slips. But it's great to see some progress on these.

    Just looking at the proposed service area south of Kilcullen, have the bridge and slips (shown on page 9 of this map) already been built?? I'm not sure they have


Advertisement