Hard Shoulders on Old Roads being discarded!

Irish and Proud

In some counties like Meath, the policy regarding hard shoulders on any old national road seems to along the lines of:

"...as this road is no longer a national route, the hard shoulders are no longer the responsibility of the council..."

Sections of the R132 (old N1) have been reconstructed South of Drogheda and alas, the hard shoulder was removed - that's without any provision of paths or cycle tracks on one particular section (at Piltown). In Wexford, a section of the old N11 South of Arklow has also undergone hard shoulder removal - mind you, that section seems to have very little traffic on it. However, the burning question is, what is the fate of Irelands remaining old highways over the next few years when many of these roads may be reconstructed.

With the above in mind, I think we need a consistent approach, regarding all regional roads (including old national roads) nationwide. I for one, would propose the following regional road types depending on traffic levels within 20 years of road works (new construction, restoration etc):

< 1000 PCUs (80kph): 2 x 0.5m H/S, 2 x 3.5m Lanes;
Total Pavement: 8.0m - Reduced S2.

> 1000 & < 5000 PCUs (80kph): 2 x 1.5m H/S, 2 x 3.5m Lanes;
Total Pavement: 10.0m - S2 with cycle/pedestrian provision.

> 1000 & < 5000 PCUs (100kph): 2 x 1.5m H/S, 2 x 3.65m Lanes;
Total Pavement: 10.3m - S2 with cycle/pedestrian provision.

> 5000 & < 10000 PCUs (100kph): 2 x 2.5m H/S, 2 x 3.65m Lanes;
Total Pavement: 12.3m - S2 with cycle/pedestrian and vehicle emergency provisions.

> 10000 & < 20000 PCUs (100kph): 2 x 1.5m HS, 4 x 3.5m Lanes, 1.5 Median;
Total Pavement: 18.5m - 2+2 with cycle/pedestrian provision.

When one considers that the above-mentioned N1 carries nearly 20k PCUs between Gormanston and Drogheda, I think something alone the lines of the above suggested standards might be necessary.

What do you guys think?

Danno

Anything that outlines consistency is good. We need more uniformity along our roads, too many areas go from pleasent stretches to lethal in no time at all.

TBH - All the hedgerows should be removed from all roads and re-planted 6ft in from the tar's edge. And don't give me all the wildlife issues - human lives are far more important.

Buffman

What you suggest seems good overall. The main problem is when N roads become R roads, responsibility for them moves to the local County Council. Some Councils look after them and some do not.
The cynical will say they want us all using the new toll roads...

Zoney

Buffman: that's the wrong kind of cynicism. The obvious reason is that councils don't want the extra two lanes of tarmac to have to fix up with the ole tar+chippings when the potholes get too vicious.