Seamus Quirke roadworks merge

what_traffic · 17-11-2011 4:02pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Designed to maximise visibility of advertising for the benefit of passing traffic, perhaps?
I'd be interested in getting details of their design criteria.

Wont have this issue on the other side of the road with the shelters

Advertising is not the issue here - they are reducing the overall advertising space that a typical shelter would have.
Reason they have one side open is that they want all pedestrians who wish to use the bus shelter to enter the shelter from the side that cyclists will be approaching from. A Social Engineering experiment that will fail.

@Galwaycyclist - can you confirm this is the intention here?

galwaycyclist · 17-11-2011 4:53pm

what_traffic wrote: »

Wont have this issue on the other side of the road with the shelters

Advertising is not the issue here - they are reducing the overall advertising space that a typical shelter would have.
Reason they have one side open is that they want all pedestrians who wish to use the bus shelter to enter the shelter from the side that cyclists will be approaching from. A Social Engineering experiment that will fail.

@Galwaycyclist - can you confirm this is the intention here?

Yep this is also my understanding I believe there will be pedestrian guard rails at the back of the shelters to force prospective passengers in and out on one side.

With regard to the Copenhagen model referenced above and also the model here I would point out the following. At the moment the city council are considering a draft walking and cycling strategy for the city and environs.

One of the proposed amendments to the draft is to develop a "Code of Conduct" for spaces shared between cyclists and pedestrians. The city council officials are resisting/rejecting this as they say this is a matter for the RSA and the "Rules of the Road". It is likely that this will have to be forced to a vote by the elected city council to get this included.

At one and the same time they are rejecting attempts to recognise and preserve roadside footpaths as a pedestrian space and to favour on-road solutions for cyclists.

Somewhat bizarrely certain city officials are even trying to argue that it is not illegal in this country to cycle on roadside footpaths.

Now we might see interesting things in other countries but we have to remember who will be building them here, managing them and will be responsible for their use. Hint: It won't be Copenhagen City Council

Sponge Bob · 17-11-2011 5:30pm

galwaycyclist wrote: »

Somewhat bizarrely certain city officials are even trying to argue that it is not illegal in this country to cycle on roadside footpaths.

Yes, I believe a ministerial order must be made under Section 60 of the Road Traffic Act 1968 whereby a minister Designates a cycle path or footpath or mixture. As far as I know each designation is a ministerial power only and the ministers told the councils years ago to fcuk off and not annoy them about these pissant matters.

As far as I know a council cannot unilaterally declare a cycle path but I do wish the corpo would send an omnibus map of every footpath and cycle path in Galway to Varadkar and get him to sign the whole lot just the once every 10 years or so. Then the separation would be legal and enforceable.

Th eproblem is that there is no register /map of what was designated since 1968 so the real answer is a maybe it is illegal but the lads in the corpo haven't a clue and don't care to check coz it is too much work.

The corpo DO have the power to control cycling and designate cycle lanes on every beach in the City....whatever about paths and roads... anyone care to tell me how/why???

galwaycyclist · 17-11-2011 5:42pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Yes, I believe a ministerial order must be made under Section 60 of the Road Traffic Act 1968 whereby a minister Designates a cycle path or footpath or mixture. As far as I know each designation is a ministerial power only and the ministers told the councils years ago to fcuk off and not annoy them about these pissant matters.

As far as I know a council cannot unilaterally declare a cycle path but I do wish the corpo would send an omnibus map of every footpath and cycle path in Galway to Varadkar and get him to sign the whole lot just the once every 10 years or so. Then the separation would be legal and enforceable.

Th eproblem is that there is no register /map of what was designated since 1968 so the real answer is a maybe it is illegal but the lads in the corpo haven't a clue and don't care to check coz it is too much work.

Only had time for a quick scan - this seems to pertain mostly to giving the minister the power to make regulations. Replacing IIRC the road traffic and general by laws. This has been done under SI 182/1997 Traffic and Parking Regulations - Article 13 of which prohibits driving on the footway (= footpath to Joe public). It appears that the boys in city hall are trying to argue that this doesn't apply to cyclists or possibly that because part of a footway "may" be marked as a cycle track it cannot then be generally illegal to cycle on a footway.

Bottom line is that they appear to just make things up as they go along.

I was sitting at the Bike share symposium on Tuesday with a city council engineer beside me arguing with me that it is not illegal to cycle on the footpath (footway). Five minutes later the Dublin engineer is putting up a slide for a publicity campaign targeted at stopping cyclists from using footpaths because "footpaths are for pedestrians".

Sponge Bob · 17-11-2011 6:15pm

galwaycyclist wrote: »

I was sitting at the Bike share symposium on Tuesday with a city council engineer beside me arguing with me that it is not illegal to cycle on the footpath (footway). Five minutes later the Dublin engineer is putting up a slide for a publicity campaign targeted at stopping cyclists from using footpaths because "footpaths are for pedestrians".

Sound like a down home version of what Old Brian Lenihan once called "the futility of consistency"

Thanks for confirming that these 1968 ministerial only powers were delegated to councils in 1997.

They probably lost all their maps since the poor dears. A friendly councillor could get you a full list of every usage/designation of these 1997 powers by the officials ( if indeed any) if they laid down a motion. If they were brave they could ask for all the 1968-1997 era stuff too.

galwaycyclist · 17-11-2011 6:27pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Sound like a down home version of what Old Brian Lenihan once called "the futility of consistency"

Thanks for confirming that these 1968 ministerial only powers were delegated to councils in 1997.

They probably lost all their maps since the poor dears. A friendly councillor could get you a full list of every usage/designation of these 1997 powers by the officials ( if indeed any) if they laid down a motion. If they were brave they could ask for all the 1968-1997 era stuff too.

Ooops sorry that was not meant to be taken as a legal opinion. Also my reading is that the section did not provide for any delegation of powers to any local authorities to make regulations. The minister makes the regulations and the local authorities are supposed to understand and work to those regulations in designing and signing roads. The public are expected to use the same roads according to those regulations.

galwaycyclist · 17-11-2011 6:33pm

galwaycyclist wrote: »

Ooops sorry that was not meant to be taken as a legal opinion. Also my reading is that the section did not provide for any delegation of powers to any local authorities to make regulations. The minister makes the regulations and the local authorities are supposed to understand and work to those regulations in designing and signing roads. The public are expected to use the same roads according to those regulations.

So to give one example. The blue signs just erected on BNT and the QB do not - to my knowledge - have any basis in the exisiting Traffic Signs Regulations 181/1997 or 273/1998

www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/si/0273.html

Sponge Bob · 17-11-2011 6:45pm

galwaycyclist wrote: »

So to give one example. The blue signs just erected on BNT and the QB do not - to my knowledge
www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/si/0273.html

Are they in the 2010 Traffic Signs Manual ....not that the manual is guaranteed to be legal mind

Because if they are not then......

galwaycyclist · 17-11-2011 6:48pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Are they in the 2010 Traffic Signs Manual ....not that the manual is guaranteed to be legal mind

Because if they are not then......

Far as I know the Traffic Sign Manual is irrelevant it is the manual that is supposed to reflect the law not the other way around.

Iwannahurl · 18-11-2011 11:17am

galwaycyclist wrote: »

Only had time for a quick scan - this seems to pertain mostly to giving the minister the power to make regulations. Replacing IIRC the road traffic and general by laws. This has been done under SI 182/1997 Traffic and Parking Regulations - Article 13 of which prohibits driving on the footway (= footpath to Joe public). It appears that the boys in city hall are trying to argue that this doesn't apply to cyclists or possibly that because part of a footway "may" be marked as a cycle track it cannot then be generally illegal to cycle on a footway.

Bottom line is that they appear to just make things up as they go along.

I was sitting at the Bike share symposium on Tuesday with a city council engineer beside me arguing with me that it is not illegal to cycle on the footpath (footway). Five minutes later the Dublin engineer is putting up a slide for a publicity campaign targeted at stopping cyclists from using footpaths because "footpaths are for pedestrians".

At the moment those green hire bikes are the most consistently obvious on the footpaths. Mostly visitors to these shores, is my guess, and often to be seen on the SQR footpaths.

If a bike share scheme is introduced it will very quickly become obvious whether they are being used the new SQR facilities as intended.

IMO the fact that the SQR modifications are 'bookended' by roundabouts may well lead to the usual practice of wrongway cycling on foot/bike paths.

galwaycyclist · 18-11-2011 12:24pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

IMO the fact that the SQR modifications are 'bookended' by roundabouts may well lead to the usual practice of wrongway cycling on foot/bike paths.

That is also the cycle campaign's analysis. Leaving aside the roundabouts, the new layout of the lights at Glean Dara - with a stated design assumption requiring Eastbound cyclists to carry out unusual "footpath hopping" manouevres to access the city via Shantalla Road* - will also incentivise cyclists to cycle the wrong way on the footpath portion.

(Confident cyclists will simply ignore the cycle lanes and stay on the road)

* Even Frank Fahy TD (FF) thought this was unworkable when he was shown this at a meeting with the engineers.

galwaycyclist · 18-11-2011 1:52pm

This is a graphic representation of the path the city council engineers say Eastbound cyclists will be expected to follow to access the city via Shantalla etc. It suggests that for residents of Dun Aras etc the easiest thing to do will be to simply stay on the wrong side of the road and cycle on the footpath. Same might apply to cyclists entering from Rahoon Road via the lights at Rockfield - it might make more sense to them to cross and cycle on the wrong side of the road on the footpath.

Sponge Bob · 18-11-2011 2:31pm

Not too shabby, they say use first green light to get into Cycle Box on left, use next green light to avail of priority ( cos cycles block cars) and go right across then hop into lane on the far side. Cycle boxes work as intended I find so tickety boo.

And you don't cross with the peds on the staggers.

Now will the cyclists have the wit to do it like that ???

paulgalway · 18-11-2011 5:42pm

Was coming from westside towards town this morning and noticed that the lights (at Aldi) went from red to amber and then green

, thought this sequence did not exist here? Personnally, I think it is a good idea if all lights followed this sequence.

antoobrien · 18-11-2011 5:47pm

paulgalway wrote: »

Was coming from westside towards town this morning and noticed that the lights (at Aldi) went from red to amber and then green , thought this sequence did not exist here? Personnally, I think it is a good idea if all lights followed this sequence.

Normally there's only the flashing amber lights at pedestrian crossings. Though I ahve seen that in the UK & Germany.

Definitely a good idea, should help with drivers not paying attention to lights.

Sponge Bob · 19-11-2011 3:43pm

Traffic lights working up there now, thankfully. There is no chance that they will open all the way to the Rahoon Cemetary Road this month as the corpo announced only a few weeks back.

December sometime looks just about achievable and they could possibly do the whole length by christmas.....not next week like they promised.

http://www.galwaycity.ie/GeneralNews/021111_01.html

02 November 2011

In order to facilitate the ongoing works at the Seamus Quirke Road\Bishop O'Donnell there will be changes to the traffic management along the works during the month of November.

On Thursday, 10th November, subject to works being completed depending on weather conditions, traffic will be switched from the existing road onto the newly constructed northern side of the road from the Browne Roundabout (adjacent to Corrib Park) as far as the Circular Road junction (adjacent to Glen Dara).

During the week beginning Monday, 14th November, traffic will be switched over onto the newly constructed section of road from the Rahoon Road junction to the Circular Road junction.

On Tuesday, 22nd November, 2-way traffic will be re-introduced on the section of road from the Deane Roundabout (at Fort Lorenzo) to the Rahoon Road junction.

Sponge Bob · 20-11-2011 10:17pm

Not surprising seeing as they must be getting stick about this fiasco every time they leave the house nowadays

http://www.galwaynews.ie/22791-party-whips-meet-executives-over-seamus-quirke-road-project

Good luck to them trying to get a straight answer, plus or minus €2m and plus or minus 3 months.

PARTY WHIPS TO MEET EXECUTIVES OVER SEAMUS QUIRKE ROAD PROJECT

November 20, 2011 - 5:50pm Two top city council officials have agreed to meet city councillors on Monday to solve the ongoing funding dilemma over the Seamus Quirke Road project.
The unprecedented meeting was called for last week, after city officials failed to reveal the cost of the overruns on the 10 million euro contract.
City councillors believe there is at least a 5 million euro gap in funding as the contractor has put in a series of claims for overruns.
Chairman of the Transportation Committee Cllr Michael Crowe says they need answers on Monday as to the exact funding shortfall and timescale of the project

Sponge Bob · 21-11-2011 8:27pm

OK. Lets recap what happened at the meeting. First of all before the contract was awarded the corpo said it would cost €12-14m and it will.

As there was a recession on the BID for the work came in at €6.7m and a contract was awarded at €6.7m ( Ex Vat. some Vat is payable at 20% and some at 13.5% when it comes to building, even at 20% the lot that means the contract was for €8m and no more.

So the corpo officials are maintaining it cost what they thought it would during the bubble more or less.

But the cost is heading for a 50-75% Overrun! at €14m and Coffey and a few local landowners looks like they may get another €4m - €6m ( inc vat) on top of the €8m they are entitled to. :eek:

No excuse for this fiasco, the corpo had about 8 years to plan this and write the contract up tight as well as buy the land they never bought.

Iwannahurl · 22-11-2011 11:43am

galwaycyclist wrote: »

This is a graphic representation of the path the city council engineers say Eastbound cyclists will be expected to follow to access the city via Shantalla etc. It suggests that for residents of Dun Aras etc the easiest thing to do will be to simply stay on the wrong side of the road and cycle on the footpath. Same might apply to cyclists entering from Rahoon Road via the lights at Rockfield - it might make more sense to them to cross and cycle on the wrong side of the road on the footpath.

https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/114588/181723.JPG

Is it true that at B (Gleann Dara) the large gated residence is to have its own private traffic signal to facilitate their vehicular exit?

.

Sponge Bob · 22-11-2011 11:46am

Someone took away their road (twice I think) so quite right! Best put traffic light on bicycle path too.

galwaynews confirms 50% cost overrun possibility.

http://www.galwaynews.ie/22812-council-must-seek-%E2%82%AC5m-loan-bank-finish-road-project

snubbleste · 22-11-2011 11:48am

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Is it true that at B the private residence is to have its own private traffic signal to facilitate their vehicular exit?.

Highly unlikely. It's just off the Gleann Dara exit.

Iwannahurl · 22-11-2011 12:08pm

This is the front of the property.

I'm not sure whether this is the rear of the same property, but if so it suggests that they have a potential alternative entrance/exit.

The drawing above is not detailed enough, but it does seem to indicate that the residence's exit is coming out very close to the Stop line. Will they be able to exit when there's traffic at the lights?

whatever99 · 30-11-2011 5:18pm

This could already be answered in this thread, but I haven't come across it yet. Does anyone know why the cycle lanes are cut off every now and then along the SQR? They are cut off by a diagonal line of lights. It seems to be at junctions with entrances/other roads IIRC, but I don't see why they can't just carry on, like on the Doughiska road. Ok, those lanes stop at the entrance to each estate, but you can still remain in off the road, and away from traffic.

snubbleste · 30-11-2011 5:28pm

The cycle lane at the minute is downright dangerous. If you're cycling east avoiding the massive rectangular red&white painted concrete blob, approaching BótharLeChéile, you merge with motorists who then turn left into BótharLeChéile in front of you.
The motorist sees the cyclist as being on a seperate lane, does not appear to realise that the cyclist will merge and is going straight ahead.
There'll be a serious injury yet

what_traffic · 01-12-2011 1:02pm

snubbleste wrote: »

The cycle lane at the minute is downright dangerous. If you're cycling east avoiding the massive rectangular red&white painted concrete blob, approaching BótharLeChéile, you merge with motorists who then turn left into BótharLeChéile in front of you.
The motorist sees the cyclist as being on a seperate lane, does not appear to realise that the cyclist will merge and is going straight ahead.
There'll be a serious injury yet

This very point you make was flagged well in advance of this scheme going ahead to the GTU/City Council. However when the Bus lanes are eventually in place - it will be safer for cyclists to use them rather than these cycle paths. See the following link: http://www.galwaycycling.org/seamus-quirke-road-cyclists-issue-safety-warning-over-cycle-paths/comment-page-1/#comment-1439

snubbleste · 06-12-2011 11:22am

Estimated cost for the works was €8m-€10m when the scheme started last year. It looks like it will actually cost a minimum of €16.5m
http://www.galwaynews.ie/23072-council-return-banks-pay-overrun-seamus-quirke

Our Council are now borrowing €8m from banks to fund the scheme.
Q. How many Council officials will be fired for this?

Sponge Bob · 06-12-2011 11:33am

snubbleste wrote: »

Q. How many Council officials will be fired for this?

The 'design' <cough> was revealed by the Corpo about 10 years ago and passed with conditions by an Bord Pleabála around 8 years ago.

http://www.oocities.org/galwaycyclist/news1.html

January 2002: Two more roundabouts and cycle paths threatened for Quirke Rd

The GCC has reacted with anger and derision to Galway City Council's recently announced scheme for the Seamus Quirke road, which proposes two more roundabouts and footpath-style "cycle lanes" for this location, a road layout which is already causing a safety nightmare for cyclists at other locations in the city. The council is due to consider the matter again on Monday 11/2/02 and a short protest is planned outside city hall between 6:00pm and 6:30pm when the council meeting starts. On 28/1/02 Galway City Council recieved a presentation on the scheme by their "consultant" Mr. Frank Harewood. This presentation contained claims that are considered dubious, in particular the assertion that there are "pedestrian facilities" on the arms of uncontrolled roundabouts. According to the presentation given by Mr. Harewood to the City council on Monday the 28th, cyclists who wish to make turning or crossing manoeuvres will apparently have to dismount and become "pedestrians". Cyclists are apparently expected to use the "pedestrian facilities" provided at the two new roundabouts. These are to be the same as the existing "pedestrian facilities" which, according to Mr. Harewood, are already present at the other roundabouts in the city.
The Galway Cycling Campaign has reacted with derision to the suggestion that the scheme will accommodate the needs of cyclists. The proposed scheme incorporates so-called "cycle lanes" of a design that that was described as "self defeating" in an official report over 25 years ago and results in a massive increases in the rate and severity of most common types of car/bicycle collision. Since its formation the Galway cycling campaign has been seeking the removal or modification of similar devices elsewhere in the city. These are then to be used in conjunction with roundabouts of design on which cyclists have an injury accident rate that is 14-16 times that of motorists and whose safety was first queried in an official report over 22 years ago.

snubbleste · 20-12-2011 3:58pm

Roadworks making progress to finish some point in late 2012.

Is it just me or is the road now at a higher elevation than before at the Church?

Iwannahurl · 20-12-2011 9:15pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Roadworks making progress to finish some point in late 2012.

Is it just me or is the road now at a higher elevation than before at the Church?

Late 2012?

Significantly higher, as far as I can see.

Sponge Bob · 20-12-2011 9:30pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Late 2012?

Possible. Coffey is slowly scratching around looking for more cost overrun opportunities and they have nothing else on that I know of.

On the 2nd of November the council said. > http://www.galwaycity.ie/GeneralNews/021111_01.html

During the week beginning Monday, 14th November, traffic will be switched over onto the newly constructed section of road from the Rahoon Road junction to the Circular Road junction.

If we are very lucky they will actually make the switch over on the 23rd of December....6 weeks later.

Leonard Hofstadter · 09-01-2012 5:53pm

I see that as of about an hour ago traffic between the junction for Highfield Park (Gleann Dara)/Circular Road and the junction for Rahoon Road has now switched over to the "new" part.

snubbleste · 09-01-2012 6:13pm

I heard a spokeperson for the Highfield residents association on the wireless recently stating that "we've all been driven demented by the roadworks."

There is also a horrible pothole at the roundabout coming from the hospital exit heading west.

Leonard Hofstadter · 09-01-2012 6:24pm

snubbleste wrote: »

I heard a spokeperson for the Highfield residents association on the wireless recently stating that "we've all been driven demented by the roadworks."

There is also a horrible pothole at the roundabout coming from the hospital exit heading west.

I'm not surprised, considering how long this has been dragging on. It's an absolute farce. The end of 2012 sounds entirely believeable, this is Galway city council after all. There is a desperate bump as you turn into Westside shopping centre from SQR and just before the Highfield Park/Circular Road junction as well (heading westbound).

BhoscaCapall · 15-01-2012 5:37pm

What's the deal with the BO'D road when it's finished? Is it seriously going to be 2 lanes of traffic and a bus lane? So basically, absolutely no real improvement on the traffic situation whatsoever, and only a benefit to the 2 or 3 buses that might trundle down it every hour?

Someone please tell me this is wrong.

galwaycyclist · 15-01-2012 5:47pm

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

What's the deal with the BO'D road when it's finished? Is it seriously going to be 2 lanes of traffic and a bus lane? So basically, absolutely no real improvement on the traffic situation whatsoever, and only a benefit to the 2 or 3 buses that might trundle down it every hour?

Someone please tell me this is wrong.

Yes this is entirely correct. International experience suggests that throwing road capacity at traffic congestion caused by private commuter traffic is a bit like trying to put out a fire by pouring petrol on it.

BhoscaCapall · 15-01-2012 6:13pm

So the only benefit will be for buses? The buses in Galway are an absolute joke there's no way of telling when they arrive (unless you're getting one at the start of the route) and half the time they take you on tour of the city before doubling back to bring you where you want to go. That's if you're lucky enough to be going that way, otherwise you might have to get a bus miles in the opposite direction to get a bus to take you the other way.

There aren't many journeys I've had to make that haven't been quicker walking, and not because of the traffic.

Sponge Bob · 15-01-2012 9:11pm

I don't think a single person posting in this thread believed the corpo when they started to claim a March completion date late last year and as yet unrevised. I expected a finish around the Volvo race.

Sadly I feel this job will not be completed in time for the Volvo in June. I have a bad feeling about the setback at the Glenoaks and also at Dunarus where a wall is _nearly_ completed.

I am trending towards a September/October 2012 completion date now. I'll make my mind up on whether it will be June or October by the end of March but I can assure you there will be no completed road by then.

what_traffic · 17-01-2012 5:57pm

Interesting PR from MEP Jim Higgins Tuesday, 17 January 2012 14:05 re Seamus Quirke Rd.
Jim Higgins heartened by City Council plans to remove "Unusable Cycle lanes on the N6"

"
However the MEP continued 'It is a shame that the lanes currently being built at the Seamus Quirke road will force cyclists to come into conflict with alighting bus passengers, they are of poor design, and in years to come, we will have to replace them as will happen at Terryland in the coming months.
"

snubbleste · 17-01-2012 7:01pm

Street lights are out in the area at the moment.
It's leading to a very otherworldly serene atmosphere with long lines of almost static one occupant vehicles illuminating the area.

Iwannahurl · 17-01-2012 11:02pm

I remember a time when I found the the traffic on the QB quite photogenic...

Sponge Bob · 18-01-2012 12:14am

what_traffic wrote: »

Interesting PR from MEP Jim Higgins Tuesday,

God knows who wrote it for him, it comes across as borderline incoherent to me as if a longer piece were part copied n pasted .

I agree with the last para on Advanced Stop Lines.

what_traffic · 18-01-2012 11:55am

Sponge Bob wrote: »

God knows who wrote it for him, it comes across as borderline incoherent to me as if a longer piece were part copied n pasted .

I agree with the last para on Advanced Stop Lines.

Possibly it is pared down from a longer piece but I would agree with the point he is making re On Road Cycle Lanes and ASL's. ASL's are also very beneficial for Pedestrians with regards to HGV's at Pedestrian crossings. There is a big blind spot in front of the HGV.

Malice · 18-01-2012 12:12pm

Just in case anyone else was, like me, wondering what an ASL is:

MEP Jim Higgins has also written to the City Council to ask for Advanced Stop Lines to be placed at Junctions as standard throughout the city. These are the red boxes now common in Dublin which allow cyclists making a right turn to get ahead of stopped cars and turn right safely. 'On the continent this measure has been successful for cyclist safety. Any new road surfacing projects in the city should include ASLs as standard' concluded Jim Higgins.

what_traffic · 18-01-2012 12:32pm

On Galwaynews.ie this morning

MEP CLAIMS CITY CYCLE LANES ARE DANGEROUS
"
January 18, 2012 - 10:24am
MEP CLAIMS CITY CYCLE LANES ARE DANGEROUS
There is a danger that cyclists on the redeveloped Séamus Quirke Road in the city will come into conflict with bus passengers, according to MEP, Jim Higgins.

He claims that in the coming years the bicycle lanes on the Séamus Quirke Road will have to be replaced, similar to the replacement of lanes along by Terryland.

The Fine Gael MEP, is however, welcoming the improved N6 scheme, which provides better safety for cyclists.

He has written to the City Council asking for advanced stop lines to be placed at junctions.

These are red boxes which allow cyclists making a right turn to get ahead of stopped cars and turn right safely.

Speaking to Galway Bay Fm News, MEP Higgins says the cycle lanes at Séamus Quirke Road should be similar to the ones planned for Terryland.

"

biko · 18-01-2012 12:46pm

what_traffic wrote: »

Interesting PR from MEP Jim Higgins Tuesday, 17 January 2012 14:05 re Seamus Quirke Rd.
Jim Higgins heartened by City Council plans to remove "Unusable Cycle lanes on the N6"

Please use real links like http://www.jimhiggins.ie/ep/news/2011/385-jim-higgins-heartened-by-city-council-plans-to-remove-qunusable-cycle-lanes-on-the-n6q rather than those "could be anything if you click this masked link" yokes.
It's not that I don't trust you, I don't trust anyone...

Thanks

antoobrien · 18-01-2012 12:57pm

Malice wrote: »

Just in case anyone else was, like me, wondering what an ASL is:

MEP Jim Higgins has also written to the City Council to ask for Advanced Stop Lines to be placed at Junctions as standard throughout the city. These are the red boxes now common in Dublin which allow cyclists making a right turn to get ahead of stopped cars and turn right safely. 'On the continent this measure has been successful for cyclist safety. Any new road surfacing projects in the city should include ASLs as standard' concluded Jim Higgins.

I like the hopelessly optimistic tone of the description of the ASLs - they're mostly used by taxi's in Dublin to get closer to the lights.

Sponge Bob · 18-01-2012 1:11pm

antoobrien wrote: »

ASL - they're mostly used by taxi's in Dublin to get closer to the lights.

I think compliance in galway (make that Moneenageisha) is pretty good. Enforcement should be a doddle in Dublin, the place is crawling with traffic plod and cameras.

antoobrien · 18-01-2012 1:22pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Enforcement should be a doddle in Dublin, the place is crawling with traffic plod and cameras.

The only time you see plod out is when it's shift change and operation snailspace is on.

The cameras are an interesting misunderstanding though as they've nothing to do with enforcement, rather they're used by the corpo's traffic management center to control flow at peak times.

beardybrewer · 18-01-2012 2:03pm

what_traffic wrote: »

On Galwaynews.ie this morning

MEP CLAIMS CITY CYCLE LANES ARE DANGEROUS
"
January 18, 2012 - 10:24am
MEP CLAIMS CITY CYCLE LANES ARE DANGEROUS
There is a danger that cyclists on the redeveloped Séamus Quirke Road in the city will come into conflict with bus passengers, according to MEP, Jim Higgins.

He claims that in the coming years the bicycle lanes on the Séamus Quirke Road will have to be replaced, similar to the replacement of lanes along by Terryland.

...
"

Out of curiosity I rode to work from Knocknacarra from the Rahoon Rd to the hospital. I don't think anyone will be riding 15kph+ on those lanes. The swerve around the bus shelter alone will slow you down but you are still entering/reentering traffic at every intersection.

My big question about bike lanes is will they be cleaned? The glass along the bridge can be dreadful. In Galway, you're better off riding on the road which is generally cleaned of glass within a couple days.

what_traffic · 18-01-2012 2:45pm

newkie wrote: »

Out of curiosity I rode to work from Knocknacarra from the Rahoon Rd to the hospital. I don't think anyone will be riding 15kph+ on those lanes. The swerve around the bus shelter alone will slow you down but you are still entering/reentering traffic at every intersection.

My big question about bike lanes is will they be cleaned? The glass along the bridge can be dreadful. In Galway, you're better off riding on the road which is generally cleaned of glass within a couple days.

Agree 100%
They wont be swept anyhow once the bus lanes are in place it will be cleaner and safer to cycle in them rather than these cycle paths with the chicanes around the bus stops.

Seamus Quirke roadworks merge

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