In light of an economic downturn, which transport project would you give priority to?

Irish and Proud

In light of an economic downturn, which transport project would you give priority to?

what2do

I'd ditch the link between the 2 Luas lines. In hindsight they should have been linked however the people who live along these lines now have a great service to the city centre. The walk from one to the other is unfortunate however its a lot better than people who don't live on either of these routes have.

HashSlinging

Putting another rail line in from dublin to rosslare.

Irish and Proud

Please select one option!

My top preference would be the Interconnector!

Regards!

Irish and Proud

HashSlinging wrote: »

Putting another rail line in from dublin to rosslare.

Well, good luck to you mate! :D:D

Irish and Proud

what2do wrote: »

I'd ditch the link between the 2 Luas lines. In hindsight they should have been linked however the people who live along these lines now have a great service to the city centre. The walk from one to the other is unfortunate however its a lot better than people who don't live on either of these routes have.

In one way, I'd agree - even if the Metro North was built, massive areas of the city (DCC Area) would be left without any rail link - these would include Finglas, Coolock/Artane, and Kimmage/Crumlin. This is quite plainly not good enough. Why weren't the various interests within property circles, levied a lot more in order to pay for such infrastructure.

However, in another way I'd disagree - I think the concept of connecting the Green with O'Connell St and Liffey Junction would be of major economic and social benefit to the people of Dublin City.

I have to go now...

Regards!

ac1977

An upgrade of the dunkettle/tunnel Roundabout in Cork would be my priority.. but im a selfish corkman.

D.L.R.

1 - Interconnector
2 - Metro North

Not that the projects out west aren't important. Just that these two are so essential its not even funny.

Irish and Proud

ac1977 wrote: »

An upgrade of the dunkettle/tunnel Roundabout in Cork would be my priority.. but im a selfish corkman.

...well, that's why I put in some Western/Southern projects mate - I want the results of this poll to be representative of the country, not just Dublin and surrounding counties.

If you wanted to upgrade the Dunkettle Interchange, I would have picked the option concerning the Cork Ring Road Upgrade. This would include the N22 Northern and Western Ring, N25 Bandon Road/Sarsfield junction upgrades, and other required improvements such as an upgrade at Dunkettle and Ballincollig (N25/N22 junction) etc.

Regards!

Irish and Proud

I'd love if the polls here could facilitate something along the lines of voting with up to 5 options in order of preference (votes weighted accordingly) - if we did have same, this is how I'd vote:

1st Choice: 1) Dublin Rail Interconnector and Dart Extensions (Escalators all the way - no shortcuts)

2nd Choice: 2) M20 Cork to Limerick, and M18 to Galway (AWC)

3rd Choice: 7) Luas Line Bx and D (Stephens Green to Liffey Jct)

4th Choice: 8) Cork Ring Road (N22 Northern Ring (well the Western part anyway) + N25 Upgrade (including Dunkettle!))

5th Choice: 10) Other (Please post your preference! (For me, that would be the N11 Arklow to Rathnew!))

Regards!

fricatus

New Ross bypass. Although I wouldn't really ever benefit from it myself, there are so many south Wexford commuters who face into 2-mile tailbacks returning from Waterford every evening. It would transform their lives.

darkman2

The problem with your poll is that people are going to vote for local things. Thats how politics is. Fortunate therefore that most people live in Dublin.

L1011

I'd drop the outer orbital motorway and the eastern bypass - but these are basically pie in the sky as it is anyway?

I voted Other - Newlands Cross would have a massive knock on impact on traffc in Tallaght and Clondalkin as well as environmental benefits and shouldn't cost the earth

IIMII

1. Interurban motorways
2. Interconnector
3. GDA rail network & Middleton
4. Regional Interurban road network
5. Dublin Metro & Luas

I put metro and luas last because I'm unsure about the motivation behind Metro West (I've no problem with the concept), the cost of Metro north (tunnels, tunnels and more tunnel, and government intetions to really move on it) and the cost/hassle of other luas lines. I kind of think the metro/luas are Ferrari solutions to be implemented after the existing rail network is fixed.

Kind of a fix what we have before we spend the family silver on shiny stuff

Skyhater

Interconnector, Interconnector, Interconnector!!!!!
Only show in town when you look at Cost Vs Benefit!!!

Just a shame that the Darts running through it will be operated by a heavily unionised workforce. I'm betting the level of strike action (amongst all unionised workers) will dramatically increase over coming few years!!

Sponge Bob

Irish and Proud wrote: »

this is how I'd vote:

1st Choice: 1) Dublin Rail Interconnector and Dart Extensions (Escalators all the way - no shortcuts)

2nd Choice: 2) M20 Cork to Limerick, and M18 to Galway (AWC)

3rd Choice: 7) Luas Line Bx and D (Stephens Green to Liffey Jct)

1st Choice: Dublin Rail Interconnector and Dart Extensions/Electrifications

2nd Choice: M17 and Galway Outer Bypass

3rd Choice: M18 Ennis - Galway and M20 Cork to Limerick

4th Choice: Metro North to Airport

5th Choice: Cork Ring Road (N22 Northern Ring Road) junctions on SRR and Dunkettle / Glounthane

fricatus

IIMII wrote: »

1. Interurban motorways

Not trying to be smart here, but these are all now under construction, so there's no turning back now. Isn't the poll about projects that haven't yet started?

Irish and Proud

With 46 votes now cast, there is no surprise in the 2 options which seem the most popular so far:

• The Interconnector + Dart Extensions (63.04%);
• Metro North (19.57%).

The big surprise is the extent to which the Interconnector is topping the poll, it has more votes than all other options put together, including even the Metro North which lies a very distant 2nd (though way ahead of the rest). 3rd place is tied (4.35%) between the:

• DOOR Motorway;
• Cork Ring Road;
• "Other" options.

Last place (0.00%) is shared between the:

• Metro West (quite surprised I must admit!).
• Eastern By-pass (no surprise!);
• Luas Line F to Lucan (a little surprised!).

As I stated before, the Interconnector is the one I voted for - that said, I'm still pretty :eek::eek::eek:!

Regards!

Chris_533976

Sponge Bob wrote: »

1st Choice: Dublin Rail Interconnector and Dart Extensions/Electrifications

2nd Choice: M17 and Galway Outer Bypass

3rd Choice: M18 Ennis - Galway and M20 Cork to Limerick

4th Choice: Metro North to Airport

5th Choice: Cork Ring Road (N22 Northern Ring Road) junctions on SRR and Dunkettle / Glounthane

This basically, but I'd pop in the N25 New Ross Bypass somewhere too.

marmurr1916

Well, it looks like this is a Dublin dominated board! Personally speaking I'd go ahead with all the Munster projects and the Atlantic Corridor.

News this morning is that the NDP is going to be substantially unaffected by cuts in government spending. The government plans to cut spending by one billion in 2009, 300 million of which will be cuts in capital spending with a further 100 million in cuts to the Gateways Innovation Fund Programme.

According to the Irish Times, the 300 million of cuts to capital spending will "effectively [halt] further purchases of land and property to accommodate the Government's decentralisation programme".

In addition, "Some €100 million is to be saved by deferring capital allocations to the Gateways Innovation Fund Programme covering the nine gateways in the spatial strategy."

Transport 21 spending isn't going to be affected by these cuts, at least for 2009.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0711/1215725795915.html

IIMII

fricatus wrote: »

these are all now under construction, so there's no turning back now.

True, but I'd still rate their speedy completion ahead of everything else. I remember walking through Tymon Park as a child when for years there was only a single lane of the M50 built between the Greenhills road and where the M50 used to terminate at the dodder. No traffic on it, a ditch at one end and the Greenhills road esker blocking it at the other.

In that context and I know we are not in meltdown, but I read the poll as everything that isn't completed and what I think is a priority. I still think the Interurbans are more important than anything else even if they are secure

Irish and Proud

fricatus wrote: »

Not trying to be smart here, but these are all now under construction, so there's no turning back now. Isn't the poll about projects that haven't yet started?

You're quite right mate, but IIMII is right in that seeing those inter-urban motorways over the finishing line is more essential than anything else. That said, the poll is on the subject of what the government must do next.

Regards!

Irish and Proud

IIMII wrote: »

True, but I'd still rate their speedy completion ahead of everything else. I remember walking through Tymon Park as a child when for years there was only a single lane of the M50 built between the Greenhills road and where the M50 used to terminate at the dodder. No traffic on it, a ditch at one end and the Greenhills road esker blocking it at the other.

In that context and I know we are not in meltdown, but I read the poll as everything that isn't completed and what I think is a priority. I still think the Interurbans are more important than anything else even if they are secure

...but these motorways are under Design and Build contracts. The construction companies involved must get the job done at an agreed price within an agreed timeframe. If any contractor goes over budget, it's hard luck to them. If they fail to finish on time, they are fined according to the length of delay (time of total completion in relation to the deadline). On the other hand, the government has to honour its payment to the contractors, or they'd probably face legal action.

Regards!

IIMII

True, wasn't really thinking

Suppose I still get excited at the prospect of being able to get about the country on decent roads

fitzyshea

1. Interconnector
2. Luas link, should have been done in the first place.

Ditch the M17 and build a basic bypass of Claregalway and Tuam. 6 roundabouts, two bridges and about 30 kms of roads wouldn't be that expensive.

Irish and Proud

Deleted User wrote: »

Ditch the M17 and build a basic bypass of Claregalway and Tuam. 6 roundabouts, two bridges and about 30 kms of roads wouldn't be that expensive.

I'd retain the M17 as a longer term (2020 maybe) solution and extend it to Claremorris as a PPP (to where the N60 (Castlebar) intersects). In the shorter term, I'd basically do as you suggested - it would certainly make sense!

Of course, I'd also do the M18 to Ennis and provide a trumpet interchange at Rathmorrisey. Now in order to accommodate the future M17, such a junction could easily be configured, thereby providing for expansion in the style of an M50 scalectrix (figure 8) junction. Regarding the proposed services there, major interchanges are not the place for such facilities. AFAIK, there's a proposed interchange for Athenry (within a couple of miles) along the new N6 - maybe the services could go there!

Anyway, we'll see what happens in the region...

Regards!

jank

Id have the N28 up there too. There is a whole multi - billion euro port relocation awaiting this never mind the cork docklands project that will change the face of the city.
We need to have a something in the country to spur the growth of dublin.

Metrobest

Irish and Proud wrote: »

Please select one option!

My top preference would be the Interconnector!

Regards!

Obviously, since it is top of your ´poll´.

How scientific

Mayo Exile

Is Metro North really needed? Hasn't a spur somewhere off the DART line been suggested at various times in the past as a way of getting a rail link out to the airport 'on the cheap'. Voted for the interconnector plus DART line extensions myself.

Irish and Proud

Metrobest wrote: »

Obviously, since it is top of your ´poll´.

How scientific

I was wondering what you were on about, but now I know. The order in which I listed the options are not totally reflective of my preferences (mind you, it did help the interconnector option to No. 1 spot) - otherwise, the Eastern By-pass would not see the light of day on my poll. To have a proper poll, I had to list the options which reasonably reflected popular opinion - otherwise, the R132 Julianstown By-pass (near where I live) would be up there!

Good night mate! :cool:

Irish and Proud

Mayo Exile wrote: »

Is Metro North really needed? Hasn't a spur somewhere off the DART line been suggested at various times in the past as a way of getting a rail link out to the airport 'on the cheap'. Voted for the interconnector plus DART line extensions myself.

I have been thinking along the same lines, but came up with something different. Click the following (thread) and scroll down to the first reply (mine):

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055333755

Mind you, I must draw an outline map showing the route that I've suggested!

Regards!

Gillie

Deleted User wrote: »

Ditch the M17 and build a basic bypass of Claregalway and Tuam. 6 roundabouts, two bridges and about 30 kms of roads wouldn't be that expensive.

I'd agree with that if the road was DC!

Irish and Proud

Gillie wrote: »

I'd agree with that if the road was DC!

...maybe a Type 2 Dual Carriageway (16.5m 2+2). The M17 should still remain as a long term objective though IMO.

Regards!

serfboard

Irish and Proud wrote: »

...maybe a Type 2 Dual Carriageway (16.5m 2+2). The M17 should still remain as a long term objective though IMO.

Ah come on, lads. You're proposing a 2+2 to be followed eventually by a motorway? Are you serious?

Since the M17 has been shelved (:mad:), and given the economic circumstances, I think the best that the 25,000 cars going through Claregalway can hope for is a single-carriageway bypass - to be followed eventually by the M17. Loughrea is the precedent for this. Regrettably, I think the Tuam bypass is a dead duck (given the proposal to include it in the new "super-M17" to Claremorris).

Of course, they've built a bus lane on the south side of Claregalway and are soon to follow with one on the north side, to persuade us all out of our cars .

Gillie

serfboard wrote: »

Since the M17 has been shelved (:mad:)

Has it been?

bawn79

I voted for the Interconnector also for the good of the capital.
However I do believe that the M24 from Limerick to Waterford would be a real benefit to the south of the country.
Maybe they could use this instead of buildling the M20 as it could be used along with the M8 to get from Limerick to Cork. Would be short-term solution and less expensive way of linking the 3 main cities in the south together via a motorway.

galwayrush

If i could wave a magic wand ( probably the only thing that would ever get it built ) i would get the fantasy M17 moved and built to actually go near Galway City :rolleyes:

Bards

bawn79 wrote: »

I voted for the Interconnector also for the good of the capital.
However I do believe that the M25 from Limerick to Waterford would be a real benefit to the south of the country.
Maybe they could use this instead of buildling the M20 as it could be used along with the M8 to get from Limerick to Cork. Would be short-term solution and less expensive way of linking the 3 main cities in the south together via a motorway.

I presume you mean the N24 Limerick to Waterford road, and not the N25 Waterford to Cork road?

bawn79

Yip my mistake

Bards

Seems the South-East and Mid-West Regional Authorities agree with this plan also

from http://www.waterford-today.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3606&Itemid=1&ed=347
===================================================

Two regional authorities demand priority upgrading for N24 Waterford/Limerick primary route


"There is an undeniable case for the priority upgrading of the N24 National Primary Route in the NRA's post-2010 Roads Programme". So stated Cllr. Paddy O'Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of the South-East Regional Authority, following a meeting of a delegation representing the South-East and Mid-West Regional Authorities with Mr. Fred Barry, Chief Executive of the National Roads Authority on 10th July.

"Our meeting with Mr. Barry was very positive and we presented to him the issues and recommendations made in the South-East Regional Authority's recently completed N24 Prioritisation Study Report", said Cllr. O'Callaghan. "I made it clear at the meeting that the N24 is considered by my Regional Authority as one of the key economic infrastructural drivers of the regional economies of the South-East and Mid-West Regions and that it is critically important for the economic wellbeing of both regions that the Route be prioritised now by the National Roads Authority and Minister for Transport for immediate upgrading in the post-2010 Roads Programme", continued Cllr. O'Callaghan.

The Regional Authority has long been concerned at the relatively weak economic performance of the South-East. It is performing poorly when compared to other Irish regions under a range of socio-economic headings. The Regional Authority has consistently identified and articulated the region's overall development needs and investment priorities.

"In our discussions, I told Mr. Barry that we should pay special heed to the expressed concerns of the major employers in the two regions, particularly now as we enter an era of difficult economic conditions for business. According to them, the N24 in its current state presents a major obstacle to commercial operations and does not present a progressive image to potential investors coming to Ireland or to the South-East and Mid-West regions" stated Cllr. O'Callaghan.

- The N24 route is 115 kms in length, links the two ‘Gateway' cities of Waterford and Limerick and runs through 4 major towns (Tipperary, Cahir, Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir) as well as eight villages (Boher, Pallasgreen, Oola, Monard, Limerick Junction, Bansha, Kilsheelan, Mooncoin).

Irish and Proud

With 86 votes now cast, there is no change in the 2 options which seem the most popular so far:

• The Interconnector + Dart Extensions (47.67%);
• Metro North (25.58%).

However, the extent by which the Interconnector was topping the poll has dramatically narrowed since then (well down from 63.04%). The Metro North, although still a long way off, lies a much more respectable 2nd (up from 19.57%). 3rd place is tied (6.98%) between the:

• M20/M18 AWC (gaining popularity);
• Cork Ring Road (holding steady);

The 'DOOR Motorway' option has slipped to 5th position with 4.65% of the vote so far. The 'Luas Line BX and D' only gained 2 votes (2.33%), but with the popularity of the Metro North, I guess the former is being squeezed out. Two very low scoring options at a mere 1.16% (1 vote) each are:

• Metro West (very surprised!).
• Eastern By-pass (no surprise!);

Last place (0.00%) is reserved for:

• Luas Line F to Lucan (now, that's quite a shock!).

My preferred option, the Interconnector, has been reeled in quite a bit, but still holds a very comfortable lead ahead of Metro North!

Regards!



Ref - Last week's poll check:

Irish and Proud wrote: »

With 46 votes now cast, there is no surprise in the 2 options which seem the most popular so far:

• The Interconnector + Dart Extensions (63.04%);
• Metro North (19.57%).

The big surprise is the extent to which the Interconnector is topping the poll, it has more votes than all other options put together, including even the Metro North which lies a very distant 2nd (though way ahead of the rest). 3rd place is tied (4.35%) between the:

• DOOR Motorway;
• Cork Ring Road;
• "Other" options.

Last place (0.00%) is shared between the:

• Metro West (quite surprised I must admit!).
• Eastern By-pass (no surprise!);
• Luas Line F to Lucan (a little surprised!).

As I stated before, the Interconnector is the one I voted for - that said, I'm still pretty :eek::eek::eek:!

Regards!

Ckal

2) M20 Cork to Limerick, and M18 to Galway (AWC) for me. We need better links between the South and West cities. All other Motorways lead to Dublin, we need ones that don't!

D.L.R.

Wow Metro West is taking a serious beating in the poll. Rightly so. Metro me hole.

Euro_Kraut

galwayrush wrote: »

If i could wave a magic wand ( probably the only thing that would ever get it built ) i would get the fantasy M17 moved and built to actually go near Galway City :rolleyes:

And I wish I was on that M17.....

D.L.R.

galwayrush wrote: »

If i could wave a magic wand ( probably the only thing that would ever get it built ) i would get the fantasy M17 moved and built to actually go near Galway City :rolleyes:

Agreed. Current Athenry routing is utter stupidity. How that ever got off the drawing board I'll never know.

Irish and Proud

With 106 votes now cast, there is no change in the 2 options which seem the most popular so far, but 3rd place has become a much more decisive affair:

• The Interconnector + Dart Extensions (43.40%);
• Metro North (24.53%);
• M20/M18 AWC (12.26%).

Now, the Interconnector option has fallen again, but not as dramatically this time. The Metro North (still a long way off) has also fallen slightly, but continues to command a very respectable 2nd. At this stage, 3rd place seems well tied up by the M20/M18 option – same has proven to be the dark horse so far. 4th and 5th places go to:

• Cork Ring Road (5.66%);
• Other (4.72%);

The 'DOOR Motorway' option has slipped again to 6th position with 3.77% of the vote so far. The 'Luas Line BX and D' still has only 2 votes (1.89%), while the ‘Luas Line F’ option gained 2 votes (1.89%) to get off the mark (was 0.00%) last week. Two very low scoring options at a mere 0.94% (1 vote) each are:

• Metro West (very surprised!).
• Eastern By-pass (no surprise!);

My preferred option, the Interconnector, has held out pretty well and holds a very comfortable lead ahead of Metro North!

Regards!



Ref - Last week's poll check:

Irish and Proud wrote: »

With 86 votes now cast, there is no change in the 2 options which seem the most popular so far:

• The Interconnector + Dart Extensions (47.67%);
• Metro North (25.58%).

However, the extent by which the Interconnector was topping the poll has dramatically narrowed since then (well down from 63.04%). The Metro North, although still a long way off, lies a much more respectable 2nd (up from 19.57%). 3rd place is tied (6.98%) between the:

• M20/M18 AWC (gaining popularity);
• Cork Ring Road (holding steady);

The 'DOOR Motorway' option has slipped to 5th position with 4.65% of the vote so far. The 'Luas Line BX and D' only gained 2 votes (2.33%), but with the popularity of the Metro North, I guess the former is being squeezed out. Two very low scoring options at a mere 1.16% (1 vote) each are:

• Metro West (very surprised!).
• Eastern By-pass (no surprise!);

Last place (0.00%) is reserved for:

• Luas Line F to Lucan (now, that's quite a shock!).

My preferred option, the Interconnector, has been reeled in quite a bit, but still holds a very comfortable lead ahead of Metro North!

Regards!

Irish and Proud

This poll closes on Wed 30th July 2008 @ 13:59!!!

...so if you didn't have your say yet, you better get voting!

Regards!

NewApproach

M7 to Limerick and the tunnels around Limerick would be my priority but thats not up there so I chose the Cork to Limerick road

Sponge Bob

NewApproach wrote: »

M7 to Limerick and the tunnels around Limerick would be my priority but thats not up there so I chose the Cork to Limerick road

:eek: OMG Did nobody tell you that they were all being built right now? , OMG :eek:

Mint Sauce

live no where near it, would only make a few return journeys on the route a year, but for me, would have to be metro north, would certently make the journey to/from dublin airport alot more easier,

off topic slightly, now only if it went though or connected the cities main railway stations (can any one tell me why it dosn't, probably in another thread), people choosing to use it, who live out side of the city coming into the central stations, would still have to walk to o'connell bridge from the nearest luas stop connecting heuston and connelly which i belive to be abbey st, (getting back on topic) or use the airport bus, altough hopefully this route would become easier and less conjested due to people using the metro

from a local interest (selfish ) point of view would either be the the atlanic corridoor, or the western rail corridoor