Customer Service people controlling traffic on roundabout in Blanchardstown

WIZE

Has anyone noticed this beside the shopping Center in the mornings

They are serving no purpose . do i have to stop when they say or just keep driving

Danbo!

WIZE wrote: »

Has anyone noticed this beside the shopping Center in the mornings

They are serving no purpose . do i have to stop when they say or just keep driving

What are they actually doing? Just leaving gaps etc? All the roads around the centre are privately owned by the company who own the centre if that makes any difference.

jeffk

Yes you have to stop when they tell you. They are either security or just part of the company that manage the centre.


Ok maybe now they seem to serve no purpose, but wait till near Christmas and you have loads of cars blocking roundabouts because they are in the right. Manners goes out the window and you left waiting ages, or the lads in the bibs take over and allow x amount of cars out.




I say fair play to them for doing it, especially when the bad weather hits!

veetwin

Danbo! wrote: »

All the roads around the centre are privately owned by the company who own the centre if that makes any difference.

Hmm I wonder about this..if it is the case then it implies you can't be prosecuted for speeding, drink driving, bus lane infringements, dangerous driving etc.

I would suggest that the perimeter roads are public. In that case these private guys have zero legal standing.

Delancey

veetwin wrote: »

Hmm I wonder about this..if it is the case then it implies you can't be prosecuted for speeding, drink driving, bus lane infringements, dangerous driving etc.

I would suggest that the perimeter roads are public. In that case these private guys have zero legal standing.

Not so , the key part of DD legislation is that the offence occurs on a road or place to which the public have access , that the road or car park in question is privately owned is of no consequence , once the public have access the offence is complete.

Irish Steve

They are serving a purpose, sorting out the mess that has resulted from the worst piece of traffic management planning inflicted on us in years.

The whole road structure of the Blanchardstown area needs to be remodelled, the Mulhuddart M3 access needs to be changed to be more like a cloverleaf structure to significantly reduce the number of vehicles that have to cross other vehicle paths as a result of the stupid structure of the junctions. Things would move much better if the exit from M3 south was converted into an entry, and the entry converted to become the exit, as long as filter lanes were also incorporated into the roundabout. Even better would be to move the entry slip to be closer to the Quinn roundabout, as that would save having entering and exiting traffic in conflict on the M3 section.


The Dublin end of the centre is another mess, the majority of drivers even now don't realise that the quickest way on to the M50 is to go towards Mulhuddart at the Quinn Roundabout. Would have been much better to have had the loop back by that roundabout rather than at the Mulhuddart end.

I've visited many large, and larger out of town centres in a number of countries, and nowhere is anything like as bad as Blanchardstown.

The other problem is that Irish Planners seem to be totally unable to think in 3 dimensions when mixing pedestrians and vehicles, with the result that for a lot of time, nothing moves on the roads. Maybe making the flow one way round the entire complex would help too. The roundabouts would need to go, the inner lane then would be for remaining in the centre, the outer lane would be to leave, and the changeover would be allowed between the junctions.

jeffk

Wasn’t there plans for the exit at Mulhddart to be changed and also they are looking making the fly over into four lanes (and hopefully getting rid of the roundabout).

Danbo!

veetwin wrote: »

Hmm I wonder about this..if it is the case then it implies you can't be prosecuted for speeding, drink driving, bus lane infringements, dangerous driving etc.

I would suggest that the perimeter roads are public. In that case these private guys have zero legal standing.

Perimeter roads are private, and yes you can be convicted of offenses on them.

ongarite

jeffk wrote: »

Wasn’t there plans for the exit at Mulhddart to be changed and also they are looking making the fly over into four lanes (and hopefully getting rid of the roundabout).

Yeah, you read up on it here:
http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Roads/SchemesonDisplay/N3MulhuddartInterchangeUpgrade/
Pic:
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/70135/155772.JPG

_Kaiser_

WIZE wrote: »

Has anyone noticed this beside the shopping Center in the mornings

They are serving no purpose . do i have to stop when they say or just keep driving

Believe me they serve more use than the annual Freeflow exercise in Blanch where normally the guard stands at the junction right outside the station leaning against the pole for the day.

Tails142

Blanchardstown shopping centre has to be the worst traffic set up I have ever seen.

I was there on a Saturday a few weeks back and we couldn't get out of the place, we were queuing in the car park to get out for 30 minutes and moved barely one car length.

Eventually we inched up to an empty car space that I was able to park in and we just abandoned the car again and went back into the centre to get dinner.

Total joke, have been avoiding the place ever since.

sheesh

WIZE wrote: »

Has anyone noticed this beside the shopping Center in the mornings

They are serving no purpose . do i have to stop when they say or just keep driving

isn't there something in the rules of the road saying you must obey signals given by people directing traffic (without specifying that they be Guards etc.)

Obviously if you ignored them they would not do anything about it so go ahead

clickhere

You may need these guys at the weekend when its busy , but i was there during the week when it was quiet. I aproached the roundabout and one of these guys steps out and stops me,i wound down the window and asked him what was wrong his reply was "stay there till i tell you to go" a complete muppet.

ianobrien

I'm open to correction but the only people that have the power to stop a car on the public road (and under legislation, a public road is one where the public have access) are Garda, Lolly-pop ladies and people controlling farm animals on the road (cattle and horses). There are exceptions for road works.

So, basically, if they stop you (and assuming that the road is clear etc), you don't have to stop!

On the other hand, stopping might be a good idea if you are going to be an a$$ and block the junction......

BostonB

Avoid Blanch at peak its a disaster. They should have built proper roads in and out of it.

Berty

There was something in Limerick about this 2 years ago because the muppets in the crescent shopping centre decided to wander out onto the public road and direct traffic at Christmas.

Most people choose to ignore them and take direction from the fully working traffic lights.

MugMugs

jeffk wrote: »

Yes you have to stop when they tell you. They are either security or just part of the company that manage the centre.

Why do I have to stop when a member of the public who works for a security company tells me?

ianobrien

MugMugs wrote: »

Why do I have to stop when a member of the public who works for a security company tells me?

You don't, unless it's a Garda, Lolly-pop lady or a farmer in charge of livestock!

A few years ago, I was marshalling at a stage exit during a rally. There was a Garda there and he told me not to direct traffic as I wasn't one of the three listed above. On the closed road, I could do what I wanted as it wasn't public road any more.

MugMugs

Personally I find these personnel more harm than good. I've also witnessed them forcing traffic to stop by stepping out in front of it. That's dangerous and shouldn't happen IMO.

Mister Jingles

MugMugs wrote: »

Personally I find these personnel more harm than good. I've also witnessed them forcing traffic to stop by stepping out in front of it. That's dangerous and shouldn't happen IMO.

Couldn't agree more. It's being a while since I've seen the Garda direct traffic in Blanchardstown but they do it an awful lot better then that other lot who are very good at making an absolute bollox at the Quinn roundabout.

jeffk

MugMugs wrote: »

Why do I have to stop when a member of the public who works for a security company tells me?

There could be people who are not in the right waiting forever to get out. Then there's people thinking like you and also others who are in the right and have no manners and block the roundabout.

I'm sure if you were sat forever waiting and watching people in the right and/or with no manners block the roundabouts, then "a member of the public" helps you get out you'd be delighted.

Plus the simple solution is don’t use the shopping centre, what has happened are people are to use to driving from home to the shops and back. Do people not remember having to use buses? If they did the minor traffic issues the centre brings at peak hours and season is nothing!

Gregor Samsa

MugMugs wrote: »

Why do I have to stop when a member of the public who works for a security company tells me?

Because (in this instance) you'd be on private land, and the security company in question is employed by the owners to direct traffic on their land. Whether they're doing a good job of it or not is a different matter.

Said security company employee wouldn't be able to stop you on the N7.

MugMugs

jeffk wrote: »

There could be people who are not in the right waiting forever to get out.

Ok. Most junctions in that centre are generally "left turn only" So if the passing traffic from the left can't facilitate them then thats astonishing. And point to note. I've NEVER seen these guys at any of these left turn junctions.

jeffk wrote: »

Then there's people thinking like you and also others who are in the right and have no manners and block the roundabout.

I assume that reference about people with no manners and blocking roundabouts is not relevant to myself.

jeffk wrote: »

I'm sure if you were sat forever waiting and watching people in the right and/or with no manners block the roundabouts, then "a member of the public" helps you get out you'd be delighted.

MugMugs wrote: »

Personally I find these personnel more harm than good. I've also witnessed them forcing traffic to stop by stepping out in front of it. That's dangerous and shouldn't happen IMO.

Not when they do this kind of stuff I wouldn't

jeffk wrote: »

Plus the simple solution is don’t use the shopping centre, what has happened are people are to use to driving from home to the shops and back. Do people not remember having to use buses? If they did the minor traffic issues the centre brings at peak hours and season is nothing!

I drive in excess of 65K a year. I meet a lot of people in that area and North County Dublin in general. If I was to bus it all over North County Dublin I'd never get home.

Your argument is quite weak.

The fact of the matter is that these members of the public have no more right to direct traffic than you or I do and by stepping out in front of a moving vehicle, not only are they putting themselves at risk they are putting other road users such as I at risk and it's wrong.

Freeflow worked in Blanch IMO. Issue being that there have been bog all Gardai recruited in the past while hence the lack of Gardai available to do it. Which is a shame

MugMugs

phutyle wrote: »

Because (in this instance) you'd be on private land, and the security company in question is employed by the owners to direct traffic on their land. Whether they're doing a good job of it or not is a different matter.

Said security company employee wouldn't be able to stop you on the N7.

Eh, I'm on a public highway which is subject to all aspects of The Road Traffic Act.

No security employee has the right to stop me on those roads.

jeffk

@ Mugsmugs

The words and also would indicate I wasn’t referring to you

You drive all those miles and moan about a few minutes delay in doing shopping at the weekend. As I said if it bothers you that much don’t use it.
There’s town or Dundrum where you have to pay to park or Liffey Valley with feck all shops and a possible toll charge. Plus if it’s that bad I’ll let you park on my road, it’s a five minute walk to the centre!



Don’t get me started on Guards, if they spend less time standing around @ football matches or laying into Dublin football fans, then more pressing issues like traffic management wouldn’t be effected.

Also have you raised your issues with the customer care people in the Center?

MugMugs

I'm not moaning about anything.

I'm stating they have no right to direct my vehicle and furthermore they are stepping out in front of traffic and could cause an accident.

Why would I raise this with the Centre? It's a topic on a forum I am responding too and giving my opinion on. Much like yourself.

jeffk

MugMugs wrote: »

I'm not moaning about anything.

I'm stating they have no right to direct my vehicle and furthermore they are stepping out in front of traffic and could cause an accident.

Why would I raise this with the Centre? It's a topic on a forum I am responding too and giving my opinion on. Much like yourself.

Well if you feel a member or members of staff are putting your health at risk then you should raise it with the customer care people. I don’t know how most of them being tall enough and wearing Hi Visibility coats would be hard to see.


We will have to agree to disagree; I think they do good than harm, you think the opposite.

MugMugs

jeffk wrote: »

MugMugs wrote: »

I'm not moaning about anything.

I'm stating they have no right to direct my vehicle and furthermore they are stepping out in front of traffic and could cause an accident.

Why would I raise this with the Centre? It's a topic on a forum I am responding too and giving my opinion on. Much like yourself.

Well if you feel a member or members of staff are putting your health at risk then you should raise it with the customer care people. I don’t know how most of them being tall enough and wearing Hi Visibility coats would be hard to see.


We will have to agree to disagree; I think they do more harm than good, you think the opposite.

I don't claim lack of visibility.

I'll make it easier for you. Nobody should be purposely trying to obstruct traffic by stepping out in front of it. It's a dangerous thing to do...

Edit - You've agreed with me there by the way.

Gophur

I have done some stewarding, on Public roads, and the vast majority of drivers understand the stewards are only trying to help by keeping traffic moving safely. The tiny minority, however, will continue to drive, exercising their "right" to use the road in any way they see fit, ignoring all advice/instruction/directions, and putting peoples' health and safety in jeopardy. Some of these idiots should not be allowed operate any machine, let alone a car.

If there are people directing traffic, recognise they have been put there for a reason, chill out and everyone will get to his/her destination in one piece.

MugMugs

Gophur wrote: »

I have done some stewarding, on Public roads, and the vast majority of drivers understand the stewards are only trying to help by keeping traffic moving safely. The tiny minority, however, will continue to drive, exercising their "right" to use the road in any way they see fit, ignoring all advice/instruction/directions, and putting peoples' health and safety in jeopardy. Some of these idiots should not be allowed operate any machine, let alone a car.

If there are people directing traffic, recognise they have been put there for a reason, chill out and everyone will get to his/her destination in one piece.

Think you've read this out of context. If the marshals knew what they were actually at and how to direct traffic effectively then I'd not have a problem. These guys don't. They look to me like they are just out to be seen to do the job...... badly.

Gophur

MugMugs wrote: »

Think you've read this out of context. If the marshals knew what they were actually at and how to direct traffic effectively then I'd not have a problem. These guys don't. They look to me like they are just out to be seen to do the job...... badly.

So, if that's the case you have a number of options

1. Complain to the Authorities? (Council/Gardai)
2. Complain to the Shopping Centre management
3. Drive through them
or
4. Complain on the internet.

So, which of the above will get you satisfaction and which will get you results?

MugMugs

This is the OP post.

WIZE wrote: »

Has anyone noticed this beside the shopping Center in the mornings

They are serving no purpose . do i have to stop when they say or just keep driving

I'm partaking in an Internet Forum on that subject.

An Internet forum is a discussion area on a website. Website members can post discussions and read and respond to posts by other forum members. An Internet forum can be focused on nearly any subject and a sense of an online community, or virtual community, tends to develop among forum members.

Gophur wrote: »

So, if that's the case you have a number of options

1. Complain to the Authorities? (Council/Gardai)
2. Complain to the Shopping Centre management
3. Drive through them
or
4. Complain on the internet.

So, which of the above will get you satisfaction and which will get you results?

I'm not complaining. I'm discussing the topic brought up on a forum I frequent. Have you got a problem with that?

BostonB

All three and a cold miller?

Allgäuerin

I have to use this roundabout every day and these people just useless. They even make it worse with having the traffic back tailing to the KFC roundabout! What is the point anyway to "control" the traffic of a roundabout! :mad:

voojeq

Tails142 wrote: »

Blanchardstown shopping centre has to be the worst traffic set up I have ever seen.

I was there on a Saturday a few weeks back and we couldn't get out of the place, we were queuing in the car park to get out for 30 minutes and moved barely one car length.

Eventually we inched up to an empty car space that I was able to park in and we just abandoned the car again and went back into the centre to get dinner.

Total joke, have been avoiding the place ever since.

yeah going through blanchardstown centre in a car is not recommended in peak times as youll be much quicker on your feet, don't even think of driving there day before or on christmas as you'll probably be back somwhere next year