[Amtmann]

Rest-stop concerns as 300km of road are designated motorway

A LACK of rest-stops on some 300km of newly-designated motorway was criticised yesterday as posing a major safety hazard.Sections of 10 national roads were yesterday redesignated as motorway, giving them a new speed limit of 120km/h and prohibiting learner drivers and pedestrians from using them.
Irish motorways do not yet have any service stops as in other European countries. These were essential from a safety point of view, said Automobile Association policy adviser Conor Faughnan.
“One of the major hazards on motorways is that drivers are prone to fatigue. Doing long miles on high-quality roads means that drivers are vulnerable to micro-sleep and drifting across lanes.”
However, a National Roads Authority (NRA) spokeswoman said if people were tired there were offramps into towns and villages until the service station programme was in place.
The NRA has planned over a dozen service stations on the entire motorway network. The contract for six service stations on the M1 and M4 is expected to be signed in the next few weeks. However, a tender has not yet been advertised for service stations on the remainder of the network.
Not all of the new motorway signage and road furniture were installed on the newly-classified roads yesterday.
In Co Clare, conflicting speed limit signs just yards from each other on a motorway slip-road left motorists confused. At least one 100km/h sign remained in place on the motorway between Ennis and Clarecastle, with no 120km/h sign to be found on the motorway except on two slip-roads.
The NRA said it was not possible to erect all the signs in time for the upgrade, and it hoped to have all signs up by today.
Concerns have been raised in Clare about the suitability of the Ennis bypass offramps for motorway classification. The NRA yesterday said safety checks had been carried out and the ramps complied with standards.
Learner drivers, cyclists and slow-moving tractors will have to seek new routes because they are not allowed on motorways.
With driving test waiting lists down to eight or nine weeks, “there is no reason why a learner driver should be allowed to use the motorway”, Mr Faughnan said.
Among the sections of road reclassified are: 13km of the N2 (Killshane-Ashbourne); 7km of the N4 (Kinnegad-McNead’s Bridge); 20km of the N6 (Athlone-Ballinasloe); 8.5km of the Limerick Southern Ring; 7km of the N8 (Watergrasshill-Glanmire) and the Glanmire bypass (6.3km); three sections of the N11 (including 8km from Ashford-Rathnew, 21km from Arklow-Gorey and 7km of the Arklow bypass); 2.1km of the N3 (Littlepace to Loughsallagh); two sections of the N18 (Shannon to Ennis 8.3km; Ennis bypass 12.5km); and 5km of the N20/N21 (Limerick to Attyflin).

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...253464457.html

[BluntGuy]

While I'm glad this was highlighted, there's some erroneous facts in it:

The contract for six service stations on the M1 and M4 is expected to be signed in the next few weeks.

That is very misleading. There are three service stations planned, however, two or three of them, AFAIR, will have services on each side of the motorway.

The NRA said it was not possible to erect all the signs in time for the upgrade, and it hoped to have all signs up by today.

I think it's only a few speed limit signs. Still not an excuse however, considering they had two bloody months to do it.

[BluntGuy]

The provision of motorway service stations moved a step closer last week when the National Roads Authority (NRA) confirmed its preferred bidder - just two years after the tender process began.

The NRA has given the green light to the Superstop consortium - comprising Tedcastle Oil, which operates the Top brand; Petrogas, which runs the Applegreen chain of petrol stations; and Pierse Contracting - as the preferred bidder.

Four of the service stations will be located on the M1 motorway linking Dublin and Belfast, with two on the M4, which links the capital to the west of Ireland.

Superstop will be responsible for the design, construction, operation and financing of the service stations under a public-private partnership with the NRA.

The stations will comprise filling stations, restaurants, shops and HGV parking.

http://hgvireland.com/news09a/09hgv376.html

Looks like this may be happening fairly soon, which is good news. I still don't agree with this selection for a first tranche, but it's better than nothing.

The "six" stations myth needs to end though. It's three stations with facilities on either side of the motorway.

Another article - according to this, the contract award announcement will be made at the end of the month.

The first motorway service area (MSA) operator contracts will be awarded soon by the National Roads Authority (NRA) in Ireland.
Tenders were originally advertised over two years ago by the NRA to contruct and operate the first MSA's in Ireland for the growing and new motorways developed in recent years. Biidders were made up of Petrogas (Applegreen brand) , Sweeney Oil (Esso Brand), Tedcastles (Top Brand), Topaz Energy and Welcome Break (UK MSA Brand). Significant by their absence was the Maxol oil company and brand who continue to loose market share in their only market place they operate in.

The NRA will officially announce the contract award by the end of September. It is understood by PetrolWorld that the MSA contract will be awarded to the "Superstop" bid which is a partnerhsip between Petrogas, Tedcastles and Pierse Contracting. The initial deal will be for 4 MSA's to be built on the M1 motorway which links Belfast to Dublin and 2 MSA's on the M4 whcih links Dublin with Galway in the West of Ireland.

The motorway service areas will consist of fueling service station , Restaurant and food services, shops and special areas for HGV's. No hotels or facilites for alternative fuels are known to be included in the plans. Other motorways that require MSA's include the Dublin/Cork and Dublin/Rosslare whcih both have small sections that remain under construction.

http://www.petrolworld.com/europe-he...ppintment.html

[netwhizkid]

They really need to get service areas on the M8, I drove it almost two weeks ago to Dublin for the All-Ireland semi-final and half way up around Junction 6, I was running low on Petrol (I was reckoning I'd make it to Abbeyleix or Durrow on the N8 stretch that is not Motorway) as I had forgot to get fuel the day before but had about a third of a tank setting off from Kerry and with it being 7am on a Sunday morning nowhere was open before hitting the Motorway at the Dunkettle Roundabout.

I saw a nice looking sign with a Restaurant and Fuel sign at junction 6 (Horse and Jockey as I since discovered) anyway there was no other sign on the offramp, and as It was only my 2nd time driving the M8 and am not too sure of the distances so decided to top-up to be doubly sure even though I had enough fuel to make the N8 on the old Cullahill stretch.

I then stupidly went the wrong way to Thurles as I had no modern accurate map (no maps up to date yet anyway) and because of a lack of signage on the offramp I headed for Thurles instead of the Horse and Jockey (never drove the old N8 as the N7 was quicker so did not know about Horse and Jockey) it cost me 20 mins in the Journey but gave my unknowing passengers a much needed rest also.

Bad signage and my own ignorance sent me as far as Thurles, we need Motorway service areas, on the way down then I was pretty wrecked (6am rise with 4 hours sleep and after driving up that morning) with my co-drivers on high octane stuff themselves I got stuck to drive again, and would have liked to stop off at services for a coffee and half hours rest. But I decided not to venture off the Motorway after my little expedition into the wilds of Tipperary that morning, I was tempted to pull into one of those lay-bys but figured I might get a ticket if I did from the Guards as I don't actually know what they are for? Are they for weary drivers or a place for the guards to pull you in for speeding etc?

They should roll out Service areas with 2 on the M8, I used the Cardiff services before of the M4 from London to Swansea (old ferry run) and it was ideal, if it was only your typical Centra, Topaz & Toilets with a few parking spaces it would be grand as you could refuel and rehydrate while taking a breather especially in such bad night time driving conditions as I encountered that evening (pelting rain and poor visibility).

[Sponge Bob]

1. Castlebellingham M1
2. Lusk M1
3. Enfield M4

Spin and waffle about 5000 jobs or something equally risible here.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1008/roads.html

I believe these are in addition to

A. Athlone M6
B. Cashel ? M8

Nowt on the entire M7 or M9 . NRA says that €45m is all they have in the kitty.

[Amtmann]

Sponge Bob's thread merged with this one.

[MYOB]

Originally Posted by Sponge Bob

I believe these are in addition to

A. Athlone M6
B. Cashel ? M8

If you could these, you need to count Balbriggan M1 and arguably Celbridge M4 also...

[Sponge Bob]

This is feckin ridiculous . There should be an MSA every 60km max on all Motorways , half an hours drive .

Motorways are very boring/tiring at night or in heavy rain and iffy bladders cannot be expected to last more than 30 mins either.

Yet the M1 will get 3 in less than 100km when it only needs one near Dublin and one around Castlebellingham

And what about that poxy M50 / M11 stretch with nowt ???

[BluntGuy]

The NRA's tranche one is an atrocious selection.

But at this stage, I welcome any progress on these.

[MYOB]

Originally Posted by Sponge Bob

And what about that poxy M50 / M11 stretch with nowt ???

The N11 DC in between two of the three bits of M11 has two private service stations, one each side right opposite each other as is. They've likely suspected this will do as the M11 MSA is planned for Gorey. The M50 isn't going to get one I'd assume - traffic entering from the Airport by M1 has stations there, traffic entering from Dublin Port has a station there and most other traffic is locals who will know where there are stations.

[BluntGuy]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...256256507.html

A DEAL to provide the first of the Republic’s motorway service areas was signed yesterday between a Superstop consortium and the National Roads Authority (NRA).

The motorway service areas are to be provided at three locations on the M1 and M4 motorways by the end of next year – motorists on the State’s other new motorways to Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford will have to wait indefinitely for similar facilities.

The new motorway service areas, to be built by a public-private partnership at a cost of more than €100 million, are on the M1 at Castlebellingham, Co Louth, and at Lusk, Co Dublin; and on the M4 at Enfield on the Meath/Kildare border. The NRA will provide €47 million in finance and the land, said to be worth €20 million.

Because of the provision of service areas on both sides of the motorways in the three locations concerned, six facilities are to be built.

The service areas will include shops, fuel pumps, parking areas for lorries, restaurants and hot showers. Construction is expected to begin this month and to be completed by the end of next year.

The service areas are to operate 24 hours a day. The Superstop concession is for 25 years, after which the service areas revert to the roads authority.

Some 500 jobs are to be created during the construction phase, with about half that number when the sites are operational, according to the roads authority.

Twelve locations along the network had been identified for service areas and the NRA was planning to have service areas on all inter-urban motorways by 2010. However, it is understood the authority has been told to halt the programme pending a better economic outlook.

A programme for the development of rest and toilet areas was also halted following advice that they could become locations for behaviour deemed anti-social.

[Sponge Bob]

Originally Posted by BluntGuy back in 2008

The NRA have plans to create 12 service areas (you can view their map in the attachment):

1) M1 - South of Balbriggan
2) M1 - South of Dundalk
3) M4 - West of Enfield
4) M6 - Near Athlone
5) M6 - Rathmorrisey Interchange
6) M7 - Near Mountrath
7) M7 - East of Nenagh
8) M8 - South of Cashel
9) M8 - Near Kilworth
10) M9 - Near Kilcullen
11) M9 - Near Bagenalstown
12) M11 - Between Arklow and Gorey


The following are at tender stage:
1) M1 Southern MSA
2) M1 Northern MSA
3) M4 MSA

Forget Athlone and the Whole of the M6 and M7 and M8 .

This is the lot for quite some time .

[tallpaul04]

I presume they are building 3 sevice areas, all built at a junction with a bridge so both lanes of traffic can access it? am I correct in thinking this?

[Amtmann]

NRA Press Release:

M1 & M4 Motorway Service Areas Contract Awarded

The NRA is pleased to confirm that it has awarded today (8th October 2009) a Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract to design, build, finance, maintain and operate the first three motorway service areas in Ireland to the Superstop Consortium. The consortium consists of Applegreen (Retail Operator), TOP Oil (Fuel Operator) and Pierse Contracting (Design & Construction).
It is estimated that 500 jobs will be created during construction phase which begins this month and that around 250 full & part time jobs will be created when the new service areas open. Construction is expected to take just over a year with all three service areas anticipated to open before the end of next year.
The three service areas will operate 24 hours a day. Two will be located on the M1 – at Castlebellingham, Co. Louth and at Lusk, Co. Dublin – and one on the M4 at Enfield, Co. Kildare. Each of the service areas will provide facilities on either side of the motorway and at each location there will be a restaurant, convenience shop, toilet and shower facilities, fuel, and dedicated parking for HGV’s. Additionally, there will be child play areas, picnic areas and tourism information.
The contract with the Superstop Consortium is a 25 year concession agreement which includes the construction, maintenance and operation of the facilities. The NRA will make payments of €47 million to the consortium towards the construction of the facilities. The contract also provides for a sharing of the revenues generated from the service areas to go back to the state.
Fred Barry, CEO of NRA stated

“We are very pleased with this announcement today. These service areas will enhance the overall benefits of the new motorway network. There is an important driver safety element along with the convenience of amenities for all road users."

For further information contact: Sean O’ Neill
01-6658744
086-8230600

http://www.nra.ie/News/PressReleases...,16697,en.html

[munchkin_utd]

Originally Posted by Furet

Fred Barry, CEO of NRA stated
“We are very pleased with this announcement today. These service areas will enhance the overall benefits of the new motorway network. There is an important driver safety element along with the convenience of amenities for all road users."

But obviously the long stretch from Dublin to Cork OR Waterford OR Limerick is safety uncritical!

I soon can drive from the end of the Ballincollig bypass to North of Kells on Motorway (/very decent dual carraigeway), a distance of 320km, without a single designated service stop provided for rest/ toilet or refueling.

Actually, not even a properly signed existing petrol station is along the route to provide an alternative to the missing rest stops.

How long will it be before you have people pulling over at the side of the motorway on long journeys desperate to relieve themselves on the hard shoulder?
And how long will it be before people on the hard shoulder relieving themselves be killed.

In the UK 250 people a year are killed on hard shoulders, which is 12% of the total motorway fatalities. In Ireland we will have a worse % figure if it becomes the norm to use the hard shoulder as a toilet for the lack of any alternative.