Liffey Bridge in Celbridge Co.Kildare

LDC ADI 34490

We often use the Liffey Bridge in Celbridge during our driving lessons and almost every time the learner driver will get that panic stricken expression on their face before exclaiming "do we really have to?"

Fair enough this is a particularly tricky scenario not just for learner drivers but also more experienced drivers. Here are some useful tips for handling the junction at Liffey Bridge for any Celbridge boards members.

You must know who has right of way!

Traffic coming from Lucan Road

Traffic coming from the Lucan road has right of way over traffic turning right to go onto the Newcastle road from Celbridge town
Traffic coming from the Lucan road has right of way over traffic turning left from the Ardclough road into Celbridge town or going straight onto Lucan Road
Traffic coming from the Lucan road has right of way over traffic coming from the Newcastle road into Celbridge

Traffic coming from Celbridge Town

Traffic coming from Celbridge town (St Raphael’s side) road going towards the Lucan road has right of way over all other traffic
Traffic coming from Celbridge town turning left to cross the bridge must yield right of way to traffic coming from the St Raphael’s road direction
Traffic coming from Celbridge town going straight towards St Raphael’s road must yield right of way to traffic coming from the St Raphael’s road direction and also traffic coming across the bridge and going left towards St Raphael’s

Traffic coming from Newcastle Road

Traffic coming from Newcastle Road must yield right of way to traffic coming from their right on the Lucan Road coming into Celbridge
Traffic coming from Newcastle Road must yield right of way to traffic coming from Celbridge town and going onto the Ardclough Road
Traffic coming from Newcastle Road has right of way over traffic exiting from Ardclough Road.

Traffic coming from Ardclough Road

Traffic coming from Ardclough Road must yield right of way to all traffic coming from the Lucan Road, the Newcastle Road (if turning left) and coming from Celbridge town (if going straight).

Other tips:

Approach the junction cautiously in a low gear that matches your speed, more than likely second gear or first gear

Do not assume just because you have right of way that other drivers will obey the rules of the road!!!!! Proceed with caution

If you stop on the hill in traffic, apply your handbrake and change into first gear. To ensure you don't roll back make sure you find th ebite point before releasing your handbrake


Padraic

Wishbone Ash

I haven't been there in many years but I recall being very impatient with my then girlfriend (now Mrs WA) when she was learning to drive and having difficulty at that junction.

LDC ADI 34490

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I haven't been there in many years but I recall being very impatient with my then girlfriend (now Mrs WA) when she was learning to drive and having difficulty at that junction.

Its the fact that people in general are unawares of who has right of way. Its a circus during rush hour. I must get a video of it sometime and put on our website

IRL_Sinister

Hi Padraic,

The advice above is all fine and dandy, however, I have a question for you.

What do you suggest for people who are trying to turn left over the bridge from the Ardclough Road. I've lived in Celbridge all my life and took my lessons through you guys with Michael (highly recommended btw) but I don't have the confidence to ever take the left turn over the bridge from the Ardclough Rd. I, instead, go up Simmonstown and come out on the Newcastle Rd/go through Wolston Haven and come up the Dublin Rd to avoid it like the plague. Even my father, an experienced driver for over 30 years hates the bridge.

Here's the problem with the bridge:

1) It actually starts on a small slope and proceeds on to a steeper slope (the bridge itself).
2) You have to be way left to let other vehicles going straight/right maneuver.
3) If you're in a larger car it's an extremely tight squeeze (as suggested by the chunks taken out of the the corner of the bridge)
4) You have zero right-of-way (although the Newcastle Rd has a Stop sign)

What's your suggestion for people trying to learn how to deal with that corner? I know you don't let your learning drivers take that corner so it'd be interesting to know.

Wishbone Ash

Here's a Google Street View image for anyone who's not familiar with the junction.

IRL_Sinister

That's from the Newcastle end, just so you know. The Ardclough Rd is on the left of where the truck is crossing.

LDC ADI 34490

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

Hi Padraic,

The advice above is all fine and dandy, however, I have a question for you.

What do you suggest for people who are trying to turn left over the bridge from the Ardclough Road. I've lived in Celbridge all my life and took my lessons through you guys with Michael (highly recommended btw) but I don't have the confidence to ever take the left turn over the bridge from the Ardclough Rd. I, instead, go up Simmonstown and come out on the Newcastle Rd/go through Wolston Haven and come up the Dublin Rd to avoid it like the plague. Even my father, an experienced driver for over 30 years hates the bridge.

Here's the problem with the bridge:

1) It actually starts on a small slope and proceeds on to a steeper slope (the bridge itself).
2) You have to be way left to let other vehicles going straight/right maneuver.
3) If you're in a larger car it's an extremely tight squeeze (as suggested by the chunks taken out of the the corner of the bridge)
4) You have zero right-of-way (although the Newcastle Rd has a Stop sign)

What's your suggestion for people trying to learn how to deal with that corner? I know you don't let your learning drivers take that corner so it'd be interesting to know.

We do often take that left turn on driving lessons when the learner feels comfortable with it. The Stop sign from the Newcastle direction allows traffic coming from the Lucan road to proceed first.

My advice would be to edge out using clutch control, once you have straightened up introduce the gas pedal. Remember it's the clutch that moves the car. If you still getting driving lessons with us pm me and we can dedicate a lesson solely to this junction. We'll come at it from different directions. This lesson will be free of charge.

moderators is this ok, I don't want to break forum rules. If this contravenes rules my apologies and feel free to delete post.

Padraic

IRL_Sinister

LDC ADI 34490 wrote: »

We do often take that left turn on driving lessons when the learner feels comfortable with it. The Stop sign from the Newcastle direction allows traffic coming from the Lucan road to proceed first.

My advice would be to edge out using clutch control, once you have straightened up introduce the gas pedal. Remember it's the clutch that moves the car. If you still getting driving lessons with us pm me and we can dedicate a lesson solely to this junction. We'll come at it from different directions. This lesson will be free of charge.

moderators is this ok, I don't want to break forum rules. If this contravenes rules my apologies and feel free to delete post.

Padraic

Problem is; it takes so long to 'straighten out' because you actually need to go over to the other side of the road to just make it around the corner or you're going to scratch/damage the left-side of your car. So you'd recommend doing the entire thing in first gear and just edge it out slowly? Seems difficult considering how busy that junction is and that nobody ever obeys the road signals there!

I don't actually get driving lessons with you guys anymore; I live in Toronto now Thanks for the offer though. I'm really only asking this here because when I return in September I'm going to be buying my own car/insurance and what-not and it's going to be a turn I'll have to navigate daily and any advice I can get is great. I'm always generally curious as to the best way to navigate the junction.

LDC ADI 34490

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

Problem is; it takes so long to 'straighten out' because you actually need to go over to the other side of the road to just make it around the corner or you're going to scratch/damage the left-side of your car. So you'd recommend doing the entire thing in first gear and just edge it out slowly? Seems difficult considering how busy that junction is and that nobody ever obeys the road signals there!

I don't actually get driving lessons with you guys anymore; I live in Toronto now Thanks for the offer though. I'm really only asking this here because when I return in September I'm going to be buying my own car/insurance and what-not and it's going to be a turn I'll have to navigate daily and any advice I can get is great. I'm always generally curious as to the best way to navigate the junction.

You definitely have to do it in first gear as you'll have come to a stop at the junction where the silver mercedes is approaching. Once you have clearance from your right hand side edge out using clutch control, once you moved out the traffic coming from your right down the Lucan and Newcastle roads will follow in behind you. If you do go a little wide try to ensure nothing coming across the bridge towards you from the town. When you come home we'll have a look at it first hand. Trust me it can be done;)

Lol at toronto

Riskymove

LDC ADI 34490 wrote: »

Its the fact that people in general are unawares of who has right of way. Its a circus during rush hour. I must get a video of it sometime and put on our website

the only problem really is the issue of right of way between people coming from hazelhatch road over the bridge and people on the bridge turning onto ardclough road. The other moves are pretty much clear.

The amount of times I have tried to turn from the bridge onto ardclough road only to have cars come from hazelhatch road with drivers making faces, shaking fists or wagging fingers is unreal.They clearly believe they have right of way; even the stop sign and road markings don't seem to help inform them.

LDC ADI 34490

Riskymove wrote: »

the only problem really is the issue of right of way between people coming from hazelhatch road over the bridge and people on the bridge turning onto ardclough road. The other moves are pretty much clear.

The amount of times I have tried to turn from the bridge onto ardclough road only to have cars come from hazelhatch road with drivers making faces, shaking fists or wagging fingers is unreal.They clearly believe they have right of way; even the stop sign and road markings don't seem to help inform them.

You do have right of way as you are turning off the main road. Hopefully some of those fist shakers will read the post!

paddythe goat

did i read that in march 2013....kcc got 40k to study bridge with view to sorting out all the approach roads.....and junctions....and to widen bridge significantly...to improve movement for cars.trucks buses...people young and old...persons on bicycles....and people /tourists simply out for a walk....also to take a look at pedestrian crossings and their best location....with request buttons to seek green man....not the walk out type and see will i make it???

has anybody read the final report??? has it been published....is it available to read.....has kcc forgot about it.....any news would be welcome...thank you

paddythe goat

i thought about one year ago that kcc roads and bridge design section.dept were granted 50k to study the bridge and come up with professional design for modern bridge for celbridge....one that would be wide enough to allow 2 or 3 lanes into village coming from lucan side...and one wide lane going towards dublin coming from main st side....plus wide footpaths..on each side ...plus cylcle lanes on both sides...............plus good lighting and open views of the liffey from both sides...........see liffey bridge in newbridge coming in from naas for fine example of what is possible if real engineers get involved...build and designed by ove arup in 2006......................can we get similar in celbridge asap....how many gallons of fuel are wasted on bridge hourly and daily on this crap bridge....designed for ireland in late 1870s.............
plus meet with tidy town to allow for nice area of flowers on bridge like in trim on their new bridges.......... we need wide modern bridge in celbridge...need to put pressure on all tds and councillors and kcc now....contact them now

paddythe goat

good news at last.........a serious engineering firm has being appointed by kcc to do serious study on celbridge crazy liffey bridge and all junctions approaching same and the pedestrian crossings........................now you must let them know your feelings on the matter..............................are you delayed daily?? are you frustrated by delays....have you missed appointments>>>>>>school work sports....due to this inadequate bridge.....

would it help if it was twice as wide..............or treble the size......do you cycle....tell them your story.................contact niamh flannan who works for rps engineering group in .............................dun laoghaire dublin......................or contact your local councillor..or td....august 2014 is the time to do this........................and get your friends to do similar.......celbridge bridge time is here..................i think a bridge similar to one in newbridge co kildare is on my wish list...............................good and wide.....or like trim in co meath 3 or four bridges.....but we will start with one very good one...........................over to you....niamhs number is 4882900......................dublin number.....................
her address is rps....westpier business campus....dunlaoghaire co dublin..........have your say........................................thanks

paddythe goat

understand dat new new report due out real soon re options for new bridge in celbridge jan 2015...??
1. new bridge at castletown gates?? back on agenda believe it or not....contact kcc to check out now, or wait until jan should be available in local library to study and comment....

2. widen existing bridge to double its present size...keeping present bridge and getting extension similar in design and style, matching in with nearby mill building..2 lanes into celbridge....2 lanes going out of town...new footpaths and cycle lanes...

3. new bridge on ardclough road, close to grove estate and simmonstown manor, bringing traffic into residential areas....not too clever an idea....new bridge to run over to clane road.close to abbey car park, and or gates of st raphaels special school....too close to olde rock bridge and mill for me.....

report from consulting engineers rps...to go on display in kcc and local libraries soon....maybe before christmas....maybe in jan 15?? you can have your say then....

paddythe goat

do take a look at all options now in library...120 pages long..heavy going.....short term options and long term options.....do take a look in jan /feb 2015.....celbridge traffic mess can be coming to somewhat of a end>>?????

paddythe goat

just wondering....the rps company that is compiling full and complete report into liffey bridge in celbridge co kildare.....is that the same company that worked on bridge for castletown gates in 09....and 2010,,,,,that got shot down in flames big time.....and now they are back again and have been cheeky enough to include proposal for similar bridge in same place..in 2014...2015.......sounds a bit funny to me........ how did they get contract??? who was in batting for them to get second shot at the title????....

any way in their defence they also included other options over liffey.....just heard slight delay until eis study is added to their report before it goes into library for full and complete discussion...in coming months....

i noticed from quick look at report...not fully finished i hasten to add....their report has no aerial photos of options areas....serious lack i would have thought....?? nor do they include any great detail as to exactly where proposed bridges would break out on ardclough road or on clane road.....nor do they say if mini roundabouts would be needed on either side of present bridge is extended by doubling its present size.......nor do they include photoshop images on how the options may look when finishes....for 40k , im my simple opinion this would have helped people form an opinion of all the options including the castletown gates option....even the long term options may have had more merit if included....where exactly is long term bridge on ardclough road...where exactly is it to emerge on clane road...how near is it to st wolstans school?? how close will ring road road run tro chelmsford estate and new estate presently being built>>??? should people get ideas on these plans now or early in 2015???...........last comment i would have liked to see actual traffic figures for liffey bridge crossings not percentages of various movements....call me old school, but i would grasp actual figures much quicker and i suggest arguments would be much clearer for all......any way role on feb 2015 and finalised report and detailed eis combined should make for lively discussions in spring 2015..........lets hope movement is imminent...we need progress asap............................

paddythe goat

just heard possible option.. is new bridge parallel to old bridge....2 lanes into town....2 lanes out of town................like it.... same style as old bridge..similar stone work..new footpaths..new cycle lanes...common sense..should have happened 20 years ago...........now do it

paddythe goat

was glad the proposed cantilever footpaths were not in place when the two gents ploughed into liffey, two nights ago....with two cars..that makes 4 cars entered the liffey at that black spot in recent years.....if i am correct they are crashing into liffey at exact spot where one would enter and exit from the cantilever footpath on that side???? of the bridge, ie ardclough road side...highly dangerous and against all health and safety regs.....

if there was a cantilever footpath running from bank of ireland to abbey lodge pub,now that may be safe and desirable, and would work in short term and long term...........
but i would think similar on other side would be deemed unsuitable on danger grounds....know present footbridge is not great for several reasons, flooding being one, bit narrow, not great for persons with buggies or wheelchairs, plus dark and dank alley on main st side....not great for persons on bicycles..

agree with joseph public, time for reports and more reports has long since passed..need serious traffic engineers to come up with nice design and get cracking....like the design of barnhall bridge, built about 10 to 15 years ago, looks old world style, has good width and proper footpaths, would work well in tandem with our 1820 bridge...and would over 5 years blend in well if built between olde bridge and our present footbridge, money is needed, can i be bold and suggest large levy be placed on new proposed donaghcumper building plan to help fund future bridge for the town?? no ballymun type development but nice well planned 2 and 3 storey development, with plenty of green space and nice liffey walks and maybe some car parks with links on to main st.... we now have good councillors and excellent new tds with energy and can do approach, time for celbridge to get dig out, for all 25,000 residents.....

MascotDec85

Please stop bumping age old threads

paddythe goat

would love to see some action on all traffic problems in celbridge, time for talking should be over, have read the local papers, read all the numerous reports, but still out chaos continues, hard to walk over bridge, on both sides, impossible to risk your life if you attempt to cycle over, driving over takes half a life time...if you have a bus , truck, or larger vehicle, nightmare comes to mind...
can we not widen bridge? or build new one parallel to existing one in similar style......maybe we will still need cantilever footway on bank of ireland side, linking all to abbey lodge....
while on other side if we get new one...proper width footpath should be possible,and cycle lane and two traffic lanes into village, while old bridge would allow for two lanes out of village.........
all this combined with mini roundabouts like in lucan or rathcoole, and move pedestrian crossings a little, and we could all move about in decent freedom and in good safety................
any chance councillors and tds..??........it is 2016....not 1976......

paddythe goat

hi,
maybe good news, maybe bad, but celbridge local area plan 2017..to 2023 now on kcc web site and in local library.....submission date ends, end of jan 2017...

big news is proposed 3,000 new houses /units for celbridge....this figure could rise if you read between the lines.....

proposed new bridge over liffey on ardclough road running into housing estates.....simmonstown and temple manor, see details on plans.....also long term plan for bridge close to chelmsford estate and the new chelmsford manor...running over to st wolstans girls school clane road....

over 1000 houses on maynooth road, near croudan forest park and on opposite side of road, running all the way to oldtown road, and on to clane road, massive new development...new primary school site allowed here, but when will we see it constructed??

i think 300 new houses/units on donaghcumper lands on lucan road??

massive new development behind graveyard on lucan road running all the way to loughlinstown road.............

100 units on clane road/main st to back of grotto, on land owned by st raphaels and directly in front of historic oakley house, serious traffic pinch point here....

new pedestrian bridge near lynchs supermarket main st to bring you over in new donaghcumper plans.
no mention of dedicated bus lanes on lucan road,both sides, needed now but seriously needed if this mad plan gets tro.....no mention of bus lane up to train station on newcastle road, will be required...
no mention of bus lanes along maynooth road, a must if massive development allowed near salesian college and croadun...
some new green areas, but when will we see them?? will they be watered down over the years by greedy developers..
celbridge infrastructure is way over capacity for last 10 years, now we are going to over burden them further..............any chance roads, water, sewage, schools, creches, might come first, rather than last......
confey and leixlip facing similar growth plans......not impressed by kcc outing this plan at christmas, when everybody is distracted and busy....does not reflect well on them as a body.....closing date for submissions is end of jan 2017..............time to contact your local councillors and tds and offices of kcc in naas...................hope all residents associations will take careful look at this wild plan, which is way too much development in too short a time frame, and lots of it, is dangerous to all children and all citizens....start the road widening and new footpaths now, and we will all talk in about 24 months time.....................over to you

paddythe goat

only 3,000 new houses planned for celbridge.....view on line kcc site or see in local library...............only until end of jan 2017 to make submissions.....

all residents associations....and all concrned individuals should contact kcc with their views..................good and bad>>>

MascotDec85

I'm locking this thread. It's gone completely off topic and several resurrections, months apart serve no purpose.