Road closures and temp. traffic lights

baldieman

hello.
When do temporary lights become permanent?
When once you drive over 30 miles across country you're bound to meet the dam things! Any bit of work going on anywhere, even someones private driveway work seems to attract them!! Sometimes even at weekends when there's no work going on, the road could be clear, bet they park there work vehicles in the way, erect cones and leave the traveling public sitting frustrated in their cars.
About 10 days ago, ~I was traveling on the N55 between Cavan and Athlone. Just outside Cavan town I meet a road block, road is closed due to road works, traffic is being directed around a major detour. I decided to chance it and tell the guy "I'm only going a couple of miles up the road" "no prob." says he. It was 6.55pm came across a sign saying road closed between 7am and 7pm. continued on my way, came across what may have been road works earlier, but nothing to stop or interfere with any traffic in any way. Half hour after meeting first road block, I came across another one stopping traffic going the other direction!!
A few days later, I come across another big sign, ROAD CLOSED and arrow pointing to detour.
again I ignored it and again no sign of anything to stop traffic.
Couple of days ago again big sign on N3 near Virginia ROAD CLOSED detour,
again I ignored it and nothing.
Ass covering gone mad!!

anotherlostie

Just don't complain to anyone the day you are forced to a make a 40 mile diversion because you ignored the signs on the road.

It is annoying, but I'd personally prefer not to take the risk.

A classic case of overuse of warning signs, as proven again, this devalues their effectiveness.

There have been warning signs near the western end of the Athlone bypass for over a year now and it's only in the past couple of weeks that they were earning their keep.

I'm certain that many regulars on the road had a shock when the latest phase of works started as you now actually needed to slow down!

HonalD

Deleted User wrote: »

A classic case of overuse of warning signs, as proven again, this devalues their effectiveness.

There have been warning signs near the western end of the Athlone bypass for over a year now and it's only in the past couple of weeks that they were earning their keep.

I'm certain that many regulars on the road had a shock when the latest phase of works started as you now actually needed to slow down!

I'm not disagreeing but the thread is more about diversions - (I think). Given the H&S implications for roadworks there will be more diversions and road closures. I cannot condone ignoring a "road closure" sign even if it is not actually closed. The sign is put there for your own safety so if in doubt - find out, ring the local authority and quizz them until you find out why, why, why. Perhaps there is a reason....but don't bet my house on it :cool:

baldieman

HonalD wrote: »

I'm not disagreeing but the thread is more about diversions - (I think). Given the H&S implications for roadworks there will be more diversions and road closures. I cannot condone ignoring a "road closure" sign even if it is not actually closed. The sign is put there for your own safety so if in doubt - find out, ring the local authority and quizz them until you find out why, why, why. Perhaps there is a reason....but don't bet my house on it :cool:

I disagree that's it's in the interest of my safety, it's in the interest of protecting themselves from litigation. sending large goods vehicles on long detours on narrow country roads are dangerous for all including the residents who are not used to a sudden increase of traffic.

godtabh

baldieman wrote: »

I disagree that's it's in the interest of my safety, it's in the interest of protecting themselves from litigation. sending large goods vehicles on long detours on narrow country roads are dangerous for all including the residents who are not used to a sudden increase of traffic.

If they werent there and something happened you would sue. They are there for a reason. Traffic managment plans arent just put there for no good reason.

Some arent well thought out in that they are up long before they should be and not taken down long after they should be. Thats when you need to get on to the NRA or your council

baldieman

kearnsr wrote: »

If they werent there and something happened you would sue. They are there for a reason. Traffic managment plans arent just put there for no good reason.

Some arent well thought out in that they are up long before they should be and not taken down long after they should be. Thats when you need to get on to the NRA or your council

Personaly, I would'nt sue, but I understand that some will. But let's get real here, the work on the M50 and the junctions around it has a massive amounts of obstacles. Why dont they close these roads? The examples I gave had no difference to the road at all. it's a blatant disregard for the traveling public.
Quite frankly I'm surprised at the response here, maybe thats why they get away with it, no resistance!!

HonalD

baldieman wrote: »

Personaly, I would'nt sue, but I understand that some will. But let's get real here, the work on the M50 and the junctions around it has a massive amounts of obstacles. Why dont they close these roads? The examples I gave had no difference to the road at all. it's a blatant disregard for the traveling public.
Quite frankly I'm surprised at the response here, maybe thats why they get away with it, no resistance!!

The example of the N7/M50 junction is a particular bug-bear of mine. Both the level of lighting, the road surface (temporary?) and the layout of the detours are shocking. They have nothing to do with my safety as coming from the south, it is more dangerous IMO to use the route now than it ever was.......but it is a very very bad example of what should happen. Of course, if anyone is responsible for it then please put up your hand......:mad:

godtabh

baldieman wrote: »

Personaly, I would'nt sue, but I understand that some will. But let's get real here, the work on the M50 and the junctions around it has a massive amounts of obstacles. Why dont they close these roads? The examples I gave had no difference to the road at all. it's a blatant disregard for the traveling public.
Quite frankly I'm surprised at the response here, maybe thats why they get away with it, no resistance!!

Close the big arteries in to the city? Are you serious?

kearnsr

kearnsr wrote: »

Close the big arteries in to the city? Are you serious?

+1

Just look at the chaos when one slip road is closed!