M50 Blanchardstown layout

G-Money

Does anyone know where I can find some sort of a diagram or something online of the new layout of the M50 at Blanchardstown? When I say the "new" layout, I mean the finished layout after the whole M50 upgrade.

I had to drive it a few weeks back and hadn't much of a clue of the whole layout and I think I ended up going around the roundabout on it when I could have taken some free flow loop or something.

I had a look on M50.ie but it only contains layout info for some of the junctions.

richardjjd

Here's the final layout.

*Edit* Looking at it in detail, I see that it's not (even though its the official one from the M50 site): the Auburn Ave junction and the N3 freeflow inbound are both incorrect. There was one posted on the "N3 work in progress" thread on this site by the offical M50 account holder. I'll have a look for it.

*Edit 2* This is the final version, thanks to the wonderful Open Street Map.

etchyed

G-Money wrote: »

I had to drive it a few weeks back and hadn't much of a clue of the whole layout and I think I ended up going around the roundabout on it when I could have taken some free flow loop or something.

I don't really understand this. It's pretty well signed, and to my eyes, following road signs on the ground is easier than looking at a diagram in advance and working out what lane you should be in.

munchkin_utd

G-Money wrote: »

I had to drive it a few weeks back and hadn't much of a clue of the whole layout and I think I ended up going around the roundabout on it when I could have taken some free flow loop or something.

if you are heading outbound from town, you'll still go round the roundabout so if thats what you were doing then its not a mistake.

donaghs

To be honest, I find the roundabout the simplest option if you are unsure of which one to take. Or, in my case, if the freeflow route leaves you beyond your actual destination, and then you have to drive back into Blanchardstown village, etc.

I'm no civil engineer/town planner, but I cant help noticing there is a huge gym built right beside the roundabout. Did anyone consider that they might want to expand the roundabout, or put in additional roads when this was given planning approval?

thomasj

donaghs wrote: »

To be honest, I find the roundabout the simplest option if you are unsure of which one to take. Or, in my case, if the freeflow route leaves you beyond your actual destination, and then you have to drive back into Blanchardstown village, etc.

I'm no civil engineer/town planner, but I cant help noticing there is a huge gym built right beside the roundabout. Did anyone consider that they might want to expand the roundabout, or put in additional roads when this was given planning approval?

And guess what gym it is?!

munchkin_utd

donaghs wrote: »

To be honest, I find the roundabout the simplest option if you are unsure of which one to take. Or, in my case, if the freeflow route leaves you beyond your actual destination, and then you have to drive back into Blanchardstown village, etc.?

careful now!!

there is no longer an exit off the roundabout heading for the Toll bridge!!
So not EVERY destination can be reached by the roundabout.

etchyed

donaghs wrote: »

To be honest, I find the roundabout the simplest option if you are unsure of which one to take.

I find following road signs the simplest option.

Or, in my case, if the freeflow route leaves you beyond your actual destination, and then you have to drive back into Blanchardstown village, etc.

The M50->N3 outbound freeflow route does indeed leave you beyond the turnoff for Blanchardstown village. That's why there are SIGNPOSTS directing Blanch village traffic onto the roundabout.

This really isn't that complicated people. Stop trying to guess the right way and just follow the massive overhead gantry signs directing you to the appropriate lane.

Pete_Cavan

G-Money wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can find some sort of a diagram or something online of the new layout of the M50 at Blanchardstown? When I say the "new" layout, I mean the finished layout after the whole M50 upgrade.

I had to drive it a few weeks back and hadn't much of a clue of the whole layout and I think I ended up going around the roundabout on it when I could have taken some free flow loop or something.

I had a look on M50.ie but it only contains layout info for some of the junctions.

I am not sure if this is what you are talking about but the new layout can be a bit confusing when exiting the M50 to get onto the N3 heading away from the city. It is well signed posted but you are not in the lane you would think you should be in.

If you are on the M50 north bound and want to get onto the N3 west bound (towards Navan) you take the right lane on the M50 off ramp (even though you are making what is basically a left turn). Taking the left lane would seem like the logical thing to do but this will bring you onto the roundabout whereas the right lane will bring you straight onto the N3.

Again, going south bound on the M50 looking to get onto the N3 west bound, you take the left lane on the off ramp when you might think you should be in the right lane.

Cookie_Monster

etchyed wrote: »

Stop trying to guess the right way and just follow the massive overhead gantry signs directing you to the appropriate lane.

This.

The signs are unmissable and are far enough in advance to change lanes as needed.

donaghs

etchyed wrote: »

I find following road signs the simplest option.


The M50->N3 outbound freeflow route does indeed leave you beyond the turnoff for Blanchardstown village. That's why there are SIGNPOSTS directing Blanch village traffic onto the roundabout.

This really isn't that complicated people. Stop trying to guess the right way and just follow the massive overhead gantry signs directing you to the appropriate lane.

I dont drive the route very often, so am at the mercy of new signage and roadworks (I presume its complete now?). Recently followed the signs from Blanchardstown to the M50 southbound, and it was NOT simple or straightforward. Cant say if there was any alternative route though as I havent taken the journey since.

Aard

This is just teething problems with "complex" interchanges here. Once people get used to no traffic lights and no roundabouts, everything will be fine.

OP, don't go to the States! :P

G-Money

I was looking to take the N3 inbound from the M50 exit and head down the Navan road. I was under the impression there was a free flow loop that would have taken me there but from looking at the diagram there, I don't think there is and I think you have to take the roundabout if you're heading north on the M50 and want to head down the Navan road at that exit.

Doesn't matter anyway. I got to where I was going, I was just wondering if I had taken the roundabout when I didn't need to.

etchyed

G-Money wrote: »

I was looking to take the N3 inbound from the M50 exit and head down the Navan road. I was under the impression there was a free flow loop that would have taken me there but from looking at the diagram there, I don't think there is and I think you have to take the roundabout if you're heading north on the M50 and want to head down the Navan road at that exit.

Doesn't matter anyway. I got to where I was going, I was just wondering if I had taken the roundabout when I didn't need to.

Indeed, you need to use the roundabout for M50 Northbound -> N3 inbound. Apologies if I seemed a bit harsh towards you/other posters but if you follow the signs there's no way you can take the roundabout unnecessarily. The signs direct people exclusively towards the free flow lanes when they're available, leaving the roundabout free for those traffic movements for which it is still required.

The majority of movements at this junction are freeflow, while some still require use of the roundabout. Specifically:

FREEFLOW
N3 Inbound -> N3 Inbound
N3 Inbound -> M50 Northbound
N3 Inbound -> M50 Southbound
M50 Northbound -> M50 Northbound
M50 Northbound -> N3 Outbound (excl. Blanchardstown village/hospital)
M50 Southbound -> M50 Southbound
M50 Southbound -> N3 Outbound (excl. Blanchardstown village/hospital)
N3 Outbound - > M50 Southbound
Total 8 movements*

USING ROUNDABOUT
M50 Northbound -> N3 Inbound
M50 Southbound -> N3 Inbound
N3 Outbound -> N3 Outbound
N3 Outbound -> M50 Northbound
Total 4 movements

*It could be argued (fairly) that the through routes on the M50 should obviously be freeflow and always were, it being a motorway. So for the purpose of weighing up the benefits of this junction it is fairer to say that 6 of 10 traffic movements formerly needing to use the junction are now freeflow.

Way too much time on my hands.

n97 mini

Am I correct in saying a lot of lanes approaching this were re-drawn? When it was first completed I remember noticing how badly laid out the lanes were.

Davy

n97 mini wrote: »

Am I correct in saying a lot of lanes approaching this were re-drawn? When it was first completed I remember noticing how badly laid out the lanes were.

Ye the N3 inbound were changed for the better just before the M50NB on ramp

jack presley

n97 mini wrote: »

Am I correct in saying a lot of lanes approaching this were re-drawn? When it was first completed I remember noticing how badly laid out the lanes were.

Yeah, coming in on the N3 inbound if you followed the gantry signs you'd end up in the wrong lane. They've fixed this now.

BostonB

Once you get used to its fine but its not intuitive. If you watch the signs, and ignore logic you'll be fine.

I think, (I hope I get this right) For example going from N3 towards M50. The left lanes go left, hosp, M50 Nth, or right Blanch) middle lanes go right (M50 STH) and the right lane goes straight (Castleknock)

Coming off the M50 heading south on the M50. Left most lane goes right to the N3, the right lane goes to roundabout which is for traffic going left to Castleknock/city center, or right to Blanch.

Just follow the signs, throw common sense out the window. They done this all over the city tbh.

BostonB

Aard wrote: »

This is just teething problems with "complex" interchanges here. Once people get used to no traffic lights and no roundabouts, everything will be fine.

OP, don't go to the States! :P

In the states they have some excuse since its much bigger than here.

Of here they've made it more complicated than it needed to be.

etchyed

Oh god, really? Do I have to make this point again?

Just follow the signs, throw common sense out the window.

This is contradictory. Following the signs is the most common sense thing to do.

On a motorway like the M50 with many major junctions, complicated layouts are to be expected. Clearly the most sensible thing is not to use your "intuition".

Of here they've made it more complicated than it needed to be.

I think they've done an excellent job given that there's a canal, a railway line and a big bloody gym plonked in the way of everything.

I'd love to hear your ideas for how it could have been done better.

BostonB wrote: »

I think, (I hope I get this right)...

You haven't got it right by the way. Fortunately it doesn't matter because if you ever need to drive there it's very well signed.

G-Money

I had to drive this route yesterday on my way to Meath and I found it fine. I guess it helped though that I'd half knew what to expect this time so I could get into the correct lane.

You're right, going into the far right lane when you ultimately want to go left at that junction seems "wrong" but if you follow the lanes, you get where you are meaning to go.

Personally I much prefer those free loops to the roundabouts. Coming off the M1 and getting onto the M50 is a lot better now. And it was handy yesterday taking that loop around onto the N3. It's a bit frustrating when you have to take those roundabouts, which have traffic lights, in heavy traffic. It can make moving between lanes very difficult.

LXFlyer

G-Money wrote: »

I had to drive this route yesterday on my way to Meath and I found it fine. I guess it helped though that I'd half knew what to expect this time so I could get into the correct lane.

You're right, going into the far right lane when you ultimately want to go left at that junction seems "wrong" but if you follow the lanes, you get where you are meaning to go.

Personally I much prefer those free loops to the roundabouts. Coming off the M1 and getting onto the M50 is a lot better now. And it was handy yesterday taking that loop around onto the N3. It's a bit frustrating when you have to take those roundabouts, which have traffic lights, in heavy traffic. It can make moving between lanes very difficult.

The added problem with the N3/M50 junction is that there is a water main, railway and canal to fit in as well as the various roads which does rather constrain the space available.

etchyed wrote: »

Indeed, you need to use the roundabout for M50 Northbound -> N3 inbound. Apologies if I seemed a bit harsh towards you/other posters but if you follow the signs there's no way you can take the roundabout unnecessarily. The signs direct people exclusively towards the free flow lanes when they're available, leaving the roundabout free for those traffic movements for which it is still required.

The majority of movements at this junction are freeflow, while some still require use of the roundabout. Specifically:

FREEFLOW
N3 Inbound -> N3 Inbound
N3 Inbound -> M50 Northbound
N3 Inbound -> M50 Southbound
M50 Northbound -> M50 Northbound
M50 Northbound -> N3 Outbound (excl. Blanchardstown village/hospital)
M50 Southbound -> M50 Southbound
M50 Southbound -> N3 Outbound (excl. Blanchardstown village/hospital)
N3 Outbound - > M50 Southbound
Total 8 movements*

USING ROUNDABOUT
M50 Northbound -> N3 Inbound
M50 Southbound -> N3 Inbound
N3 Outbound -> N3 Outbound
N3 Outbound -> M50 Northbound
Total 4 movements

*It could be argued (fairly) that the through routes on the M50 should obviously be freeflow and always were, it being a motorway. So for the purpose of weighing up the benefits of this junction it is fairer to say that 6 of 10 traffic movements formerly needing to use the junction are now freeflow.

Way too much time on my hands.

Actually there are 6 movements that need to use the roundabout:

USING ROUNDABOUT
M50 Northbound -> N3 Inbound
M50 Southbound -> N3 Inbound
M50 Northbound -> Blanch Village/Hospital
M50 Southbound -> Blanch Village/Hospital
N3 Outbound -> N3 Outbound (Incl Blanch Village/Hospital)
N3 Outbound -> M50 Northbound
Total 6 movements

Alun

etchyed wrote: »

This is contradictory. Following the signs is the most common sense thing to do.

On a motorway like the M50 with many major junctions, complicated layouts are to be expected. Clearly the most sensible thing is not to use your "intuition".

+1,000,000 I suspect that in many cases it's "intuition" that sends people the wrong way up M-ways / dual carriageway.

n97 mini

jack presley wrote: »

Yeah, coming in on the N3 inbound if you followed the gantry signs you'd end up in the wrong lane. They've fixed this now.

Yeah, I thought so. I followed the signs for the M50 northbound and ended up on the Navan Rd, and a relative, not from Dublin ended up having to drive at it several times before he got on the right road. Only in Ireland!

BostonB

etchyed wrote: »

Oh god, really? Do I have to make this point again?


This is contradictory. Following the signs is the most common sense thing to do.

On a motorway like the M50 with many major junctions, complicated layouts are to be expected. Clearly the most sensible thing is not to use your "intuition".


I think they've done an excellent job given that there's a canal, a railway line and a big bloody gym plonked in the way of everything.

I'd love to hear your ideas for how it could have been done better.


You haven't got it right by the way. Fortunately it doesn't matter because if you ever need to drive there it's very well signed.

Please don't repeat yourself, because you don't understand my point at all.

That people have to follow signs, and that removing roundabouts and lights and replacing them with free-flow on /off ramps improves through but is blatantly obvious. The M50/N3 isn't a complicated junction. Its a cross roads in effect.

Any complication is through poor planning that has allowed things to be built around the exits. Its also futher, complicated by not moving all these things Out of the way. Its also complicated by deciding to have roads cross over and under each other where there's no need to. If you have the right lane go left and the left lane go right, they have to cross. Instant complication. That bad engineering IF its not needed. Personally I would cleared all the obstructions. It would have been cheaper and simpler than having the junction twist and contort around them all. Theres a lot of weaving, on this new junction, traffic, veering traffic must cross paths within a limited distance. Which is generally a bad thing. Junction layout and design, should be intuitive. Humans use these roads, not machines.

I'm not arguing that the junction isn't better, than it was, it is. But it could have been better still though.

Aard

BostonB wrote: »

In the states they have some excuse since its much bigger than here.

Of here they've made it more complicated than it needed to be.

I've gone through dozens of interchanges more complex than Blanch. Any urban freeway in the US has similar space-constraints. The N3-M50 mightn't be the greatest design, but that doesn't mean that its any less navigable than, say, the Red Cow.

BostonB

I think that means

"it could have been better, but it could have been worse, but its better than it was".

Indeed.

etchyed

lxflyer wrote: »

Actually there are 6 movements that need to use the roundabout:

USING ROUNDABOUT
M50 Northbound -> N3 Inbound
M50 Southbound -> N3 Inbound
M50 Northbound -> Blanch Village/Hospital
M50 Southbound -> Blanch Village/Hospital
N3 Outbound -> N3 Outbound (Incl Blanch Village/Hospital)
N3 Outbound -> M50 Northbound
Total 6 movements

I excluded Blanch as it complicates things. But this is true and it's also true to say that the junction hasn't done much for Blanchardstown residents.

BostonB wrote: »

Please don't repeat yourself, because you don't understand my point at all.

I'm pretty sure that I understood you perfectly. You said:

BostonB wrote: »

Of here they've made it more complicated than it needed to be.

You blamed an ethereal "they" for the overcomplication of this junction. Who are "they"? The engineers that designed the upgrade? The politicians that allowed development right up to the edge of the junction in the first place? Or the economists who decided that (contrary to your conjecture stated as fact) it would be neither cheaper nor worthwile to CPO a gym, several houses and a tennis club in order that this junction be more "intuitive"?

Also, please don't lecture me about what's blatantly obvious and then write a post full of obvious points yourself. Of course the junction is overcomplicated and of course this is down to bad planning. But as I said, it looks to me like the engineers did a pretty good job in the circumstances they found themselves in.

It would have been cheaper and simpler than having the junction twist and contort around them all.

This is the aforementioned conjecture stated as fact. How do you know it would have been cheaper?

BostonB

You asked a question, I simply answered it. Sorry if thats not what you wanted. Are they ethereal? I'm sure they exist. Would you be ok with "it" instead of "they". Perhaps also I should have said it should have been cheaper, being simpler, less complex. But in hindsight, taking that its Ireland and economists have such a tight grip on costs here, (lol) who knows. Could have been more expensive than the channel tunnel.

I don't think you do get my my point. My point was its better than it was, but it could have been simpler and better again. I don't have lot of faith in accepting things at face value. I don't really accept that you have to work with what you are given. Often the pretext is false. often things are done simply because no one questioned it. A lot of the complexity of this junction is caused by relatively new development, under 15yrs old. Most of it, isn't dependent on exact location to exist.

etchyed

BostonB wrote: »

You asked a question.

I don't believe I did.

Are they ethereal? I'm sure they exist. Would you be ok with "it" instead of "they". Perhaps also I should have said it should have been cheaper, being simpler, less complex.

But you didn't. You used "they", meaning the powers that be.

But in hindsight, taking that its Ireland and economists have such a tight grip on costs here, (lol) who knows. Could have been more expensive than the channel tunnel.

Ah, the "this is Ireland, we can get nothing right" chestnut is wheeled out again. In case you haven't noticed, the NRA have quite successfully procured a national motorway network in the last five years, using a combination of PPP and fixed price contracts.

I don't think you do get my my point. My point was its better than it was, but it could have been simpler and better again.

This is quite patronising and it's starting to get a little irritating. I understand your point perfectly. I just completely disagree with it.

The junction could of course have been better. Bad planning (in all likelihood with political involvement) led to the junction being surrounded by buildings that got in the way. Nobody questions or disagrees with that.

But you're taking it a step further and claiming that the surrounding buildings should have been CPOed and demolished and stating as fact that this would have been cheaper. That's quite a ridiculous opinion to hold with certainty when you know absolutely nothing about what it would have cost.

I don't have lot of faith in accepting things at face value. I don't really accept that you have to work with what you are given. Often the pretext is false. often things are done simply because no one questioned it.

Yes, of course, the people in the NRA are incompetent fools with no ability to think outside the box. Absolutely no thought whatsoever would have been given to CPOing the gym, houses and tennis courts, this option having been ruled out at the very start of the planning process under the false assumption that it would be too expensive.

Give me a break.

Most of it, isn't dependent on exact location to exist.

Now THIS I don't understand. This sentence makes no sense.

BostonB

You understand my point and disagree with it. But you then agree with it. Saying the junction could be better, and no one disagrees with that....

Actually I didn't say any one was incompetent or could get nothing right. I said its better than it was but should have been better.

etchyed

I said this:

etchyed wrote: »

But you're taking it a step further and claiming that the surrounding buildings should have been CPOed and demolished and stating as fact that this would have been cheaper. That's quite a ridiculous opinion to hold with certainty when you know absolutely nothing about what it would have cost.

in reference to this:

BostonB wrote: »

Personally I would cleared all the obstructions. It would have been cheaper and simpler than having the junction twist and contort around them all.

My argument is pretty clear, stop twisting it and avoiding it and respond directly.

BostonB

Alun wrote: »

+1,000,000 I suspect that in many cases it's "intuition" that sends people the wrong way up M-ways / dual carriageway.

I don't disagree, but thats how people are. Its the Human Factor.

For example I noticed in local hospital the other day, there a door with a pull handle, with a small sign above that says push. I'd say 9 out of 10 people pull the door first, then push. I'd guess the people that pushed first, most would always push regardless of the sign or handle.

BostonB

etchyed wrote: »

...My argument is pretty clear, stop twisting it and avoiding it and respond directly.

I have no interest in selective quoting, or the dogma of "just read the signs", or there was no other choice, or intuitive junction design is irrelevant. IMO thats just Myopic.

BostonB wrote: »

.... Junction layout and design, should be intuitive. Humans use these roads...

Slattsy

Finding this thread hilarious !

I've been using the new layout since the day it was completed, I use it most days, its sooo simple
I've honestly no idea how people struggle with the directions, it is very clearly marked and laid out, i find it brilliant.

etchyed

BostonB wrote: »

I have no interest in selective quoting...

Actually you'll find my other posts quoted your posts in their entirety, bit by bit, and responded to each bit individually.

It was just that last one where I selectively quoted the bit of your argument that makes it completely fall down, so that you wouldn't be able to avoid responding directly.

...or the dogma of "just read the signs", or there was no other choice, or intuitive junction design is irrelevant. IMO thats just Myopic.

But with this waffle you've managed to avoid responding perfectly. Well done. You should be a politician.

BostonB

etchyed wrote: »

Actually you'll find my other posts quoted your posts in their entirety, bit by bit, and responded to each bit individually.

It was just that last one where I selectively quoted the bit of your argument......

I'm not going to get into a pedantic line by line quoting, its adds nothing to an honest discussion. But only to respect your reply with response.

I said...

BostonB wrote: »

Once you get used to its fine but its not intuitive. If you watch the signs, and ignore logic you'll be fine.

I think, (I hope I get this right) For example going from N3 towards M50. The left lanes go left, hosp, M50 Nth, or right Blanch) middle lanes go right (M50 STH) and the right lane goes straight (Castleknock)

Coming off the M50 heading south on the M50. Left most lane goes right to the N3, the right lane goes to roundabout which is for traffic going left to Castleknock/city center, or right to Blanch.

Just follow the signs, throw common sense out the window. They done this all over the city tbh.

Of that post...You quoted...

BostonB wrote: »

Just follow the signs, throw common sense out the window.

We don't agree. Lets leave it there.

gurramok

I find it quite ridiculous after all the money spent that you still have to stop at traffic lights coming off the M50 southbound to the outbound N3 at the roundabout with the usual queuing and then you hit another set of traffic lights at the back of Brady's pub whicle heading northwards which also affects traffic coming from the city. Why couldn't this junction be made freeflow like the one at Lucan?

BostonB

gurramok wrote: »

I find it quite ridiculous after all the money spent that you still have to stop at traffic lights coming off the M50 southbound to the outbound N3 at the roundabout with the usual queuing and then you hit another set of traffic lights at the back of Brady's pub whicle heading northwards which also affects traffic coming from the city. Why couldn't this junction be made freeflow like the one at Lucan?

If I follow you correctly, there is one. You take the left lane on the exit ramp to go right on the freeflow and bypass all lights and Blanch. You take the right lane on the exit ramp to go roundabout, and to Blanch.

You might see it on the map posted earlier better...
http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=53.38296&lon=-6.36306&zoom=16&layers=M

LXFlyer

As I said before, in terms of space available, the canal, railway and water main don't exactly help, together with all the buildings in close proximity, in terms of leaving space for free-flow routes.

I'm not sure what more could have been done.

gurramok

BostonB wrote: »

If I follow you correctly, there is one. You take the left lane on the exit ramp to go right on the freeflow and bypass all lights and Blanch. You take the right lane on the exit ramp to go roundabout, and to Blanch.

You might see it on the map posted earlier better...
http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=53.38296&lon=-6.36306&zoom=16&layers=M

I must have missed it or maybe it wasn't open yet, was on the road twice in the last month and most traffic was following that left lane which actually lead to the roundabout and then heading onto the N3. Will check next time, thanks.

BostonB

gurramok wrote: »

I must have missed it or maybe it wasn't open yet, was on the road twice in the last month and most traffic was following that left lane which actually lead to the roundabout and then heading onto the N3. Will check next time, thanks.

Its been open for ages. Seems like a lot of people are taking a while to get used to it. Its works well when you do though.

donaghs

etchyed wrote: »

I find following road signs the simplest option.


The M50->N3 outbound freeflow route does indeed leave you beyond the turnoff for Blanchardstown village. That's why there are SIGNPOSTS directing Blanch village traffic onto the roundabout.

This really isn't that complicated people. Stop trying to guess the right way and just follow the massive overhead gantry signs directing you to the appropriate lane.

Didn't seem right to me to first time you replied, but unfortunately I dont drive the route that often, so had to give you the benefit of the doubt. Did it again recently from M50 Northside, heading southbound to Blanchardstown. I was very careful to lookout for "Blach village" type signage. As of last weekend and the time I first posted, there is none.

One sign directs traffic to Blanchardstown, leaving you at the far end of the village near the Quinn Building. The other option is Castleknock, which directs you to the roundabout. Only then do you have the option of choosing between Castleknock, and the other end of Blanchardstown village.

Possibly coming from the Southern end of the M50 there may be different signage, but I'm not driving all that way and paying a toll just to find out!

As an aside, heading from Blanchardstown onto the M50 south-bound is a long way from "freeflow". About 3 sets of lights at least?

BostonB

I think the idea is to prioritise traffic on the main roads over than of the local/minor roads.

jack presley

Locals heading to Blanchardstown know to take the Castleknock exit and not the Blanchardstown one.

BrianD

jack presley wrote: »

Locals heading to Blanchardstown know to take the Castleknock exit and not the Blanchardstown one.

Therein lies the problem with Dublin. Road signage is either sub-standard, badly positioned or non-existant and local knowledge is required to negotiate your way around. You should be able to navigate without local knowledge if the signage was up to scratch.

There have been problems with signage and road markings in the past with this junction. The road markings have been fixed but there are still problems with some badly positioned signs e.g. approaching the junction from the city on the N3, the M50 southbound exit sign is badly placed.

The other problem is that the overhead signage are overloaded with place names (not uncommon with Irish signage). They should be simpler. For example whose bright idea was it to put "James connolly Memnorial Hospital" in text followed by the 'H' (for hospital) symbol? Information Duplication. Surely James Connolly Memorial H would do? Also the abbreviation of Blanchardstown is appalling.

LXFlyer

jack presley wrote: »

Locals heading to Blanchardstown know to take the Castleknock exit and not the Blanchardstown one.

Signage (in general) is not there for locals!!!

TheChrisD

BrianD wrote: »

You should be able to navigate without local knowledge if the signage was up to scratch.

Except technically while it is the other end of Blanchardstown Village, it is still Blanchardstown.

Directing the majority of traffic up towards that end where the roads are better, and helping to remove most of the through traffic from the village makes that sort of signage a good idea.

BostonB

TheChrisD wrote: »

...Directing the majority of traffic up towards that end where the roads are better, and helping to remove most of the through traffic from the village makes that sort of signage a good idea.

Its one of the slowest light around. Theres almost always a queue at it. Directing all the traffic to makes no sense IMO.

thomasj

The other problem is that the overhead signage are overloaded with place names (not uncommon with Irish signage). They should be simpler. For example whose bright idea was it to put "James connolly Memnorial Hospital" in text followed by the 'H' (for hospital) symbol? Information Duplication. Surely James Connolly Memorial H would do? Also the abbreviation of Blanchardstown is appalling.

That signage is wrong. Its out of date. The hospital was renamed "connolly hospital blanchardstown" a year ago. Even Harney attended a ceremony for it.

[URL] http://www.connollyhospital.ie/en/News/Content_16646_en.html [/URL]

Until recently the hospital was known as James Connolly Memorial Hospital and has, in the past, been under the governance of the former Eastern Health Board and the former Eastern Regional Health Authority (as part of the former Northern Area Health Board). Since January 1st 2005, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown operates in Hospital Network 10 alongside Beaumont Hospital, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Rotunda Hospital and Children’s University Hospital Temple Street. The hospital has been and continues to be an important training facility for medical, nursing and allied health professionals working closely with the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Dublin City University (DCU), the Institute of Technology, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and University College Dublin (UCD).

Carawaystick

thomasj wrote: »

That signage is wrong. Its out of date. The hospital was renamed "connolly hospital blanchardstown" a year ago. Even Harney attended a ceremony for it.

[URL] http://www.connollyhospital.ie/en/News/Content_16646_en.html [/URL]

ya can put lipstick on a pig......

I'm sure Vincents hospital or Loughlinstown have different official names but that's what we all know them as.

Mary H has been completely wrong in the past, I wouldn't hold her to anything.