New Applegreen Motorway Site at Cullenmore Ashford NOW OPEN

vickers209

Seems apple-green are building an offline service station at the site of the old cullenmore hotel site and it will be up and running in a year says the wicklow people seems it will be like the one out at balbriggan on the m1.

Planning application from co council website

development of an off-line motorway service area on a site of c.1.99ha, the proposed works include the following: demolition of 177.33m2 of existing buildings. Provision of an 8 pump island car/van forecourt layout with canopy over; a 1 pump island HGV forecourt layout with canopy over; underground fuel storage tanks and associated pipe work; an amenity building (total gross floor area of 982.4 sq.m) comprising: a convenience shop (100 sq.m net sales area) and associated store room (32 sq.m), freezer, chiller, manager's office, comms room, staff toilets, staff changing area, staff tea station and cleaners room; 4 no. branded food offer cafes/restaurants (210 sq.m) with ancillary dual use eat in or take away element (96 sq.m); public toilets (80 sq.m); seating/circulation area (278 sq.m); internal and external play areas (83 sq.m); parking for 80 cars, 6 HGV's and 3 coaches; ancillary signage both illuminated and non-illuminated on the shop building, forecourt canopies and general fuel forecourts; totem ID sign indicating site services close to the entrance and advance roadside directional signage. All ancillary site development, landscaping and boundary works, including provision of on-site
wastewater treatment system and percolation area
Kiltimon
Cullenmore
Ashford
Co. Wicklow

Few Photos of the site i took today before the diggers roll in

Approaching it on road


All Locked up


Old Ultama oil garage sign says open mon to sat


Old Portacabin left from the construction of the new n11 by smmorris


Road to nowhere!! Hard to think it was the main road to Dublin


Road looking back to ashford getting very over grown


Wicklow People says it will create over 200 construction jobs lets hope most of them are kept local.

spank_inferno

The "200 jobs" line was pure pie-in-the-sky.

40-50 would be more like it.


Did anyone ever visit the Cullenmore when it was open?

spank_inferno

Here is apparently a rendering of what it will look like.

Aside from the scale (seems oversized) and that the carpark is a bit of a trek to the shop, the image also wipes the 3 existing homes there off the face of the earth!

Judgement Day

Can't see it being viable - the Dublin/Rosslare journey time is too short and the traffic volumes aren't exactly heavy. Bottleknecks like Gorey, previously, and Enniscorthy now, give the illusion of heavy traffic.

spank_inferno

I think it will get custom, if only because of the lack of fuel stations in the area.

As a proper rest stop, it may be useful for drivers from NI or Louth heading to Rosslare.
But I agree, dubs will have little use for it except in emergencies.


,

2x4

spank_inferno wrote: »

Here is apparently a rendering of what it will look like.

Aside from the scale (seems oversized) and that the carpark is a bit of a trek to the shop, the image also wipes the 3 existing homes there off the face of the earth!

I cannot make out the roads around the new development from the photograph. Where is the old N11 to Ashford?

vickers209

spank_inferno wrote: »

Here is apparently a rendering of what it will look like.

Aside from the scale (seems oversized) and that the carpark is a bit of a trek to the shop, the image also wipes the 3 existing homes there off the face of the earth!

Think that is an overhead shot of the site at balbriggan

Mothman

The "green" part of the name returns...was the Green Lizard before Cullenmore. I wonder what gave it the name Green Lizard?

Delighted that this site is being used for something

Judgement Day

Cullenmore is forever associated, in my mind, with the 1st May 1998 - the day of the "blue flu" - when the Gardai ERU met the Real IRA head-on during an attempted security van robbery.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/real-ira-gang-get-heavy-terms-for-robbery-bid-26164358.html

homer911

The story from the Wicklow People
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/news/cullenmore-m11-service-area-will-bring-200-jobs-29427092.html

recedite

I'd say it will do well. The motorways in other countries have rest stop areas where you can eat and refuel easily, and get going again quickly.

I hate those signs on Irish motorways where you see a knife and fork icon and a petrol pump icon that lures you off the motorway.
10 Km and five roundabouts later you find yourself in some forgotten town that was bypassed years ago, and then the search for parking begins...

Judgement Day

recedite wrote: »

I'd say it will do well. The motorways in other countries have rest stop areas where you can eat and refuel easily, and get going again quickly.

I hate those signs on Irish motorways where you see a knife and fork icon and a petrol pump icon that lures you off the motorway.
10 Km and five roundabouts later you find yourself in some forgotten town that was bypassed years ago, and then the search for parking begins...

Other countries with populations; some people seem unable to grasp that Ireland is a sparsely populated piece of rock on the outermost fringe of Europe.

spank_inferno

Judgement Day wrote: »

Other countries with populations; some people seem unable to grasp that Ireland is a sparsely populated piece of rock on the outermost fringe of Europe.

There isn't a minimum population density required for competent planning.

Macy0161

I'd think there is the trade judging by how busy the kilmacanogue petrol stations are. Hopefully it'll reduce the numbers of selfish knobs that park on the double yellows and snarl up the north bound slip at kilmac anyway - the rules of the road don't apply if you need a coffee apparently.

vickers209

Looks like the site work has begun went past on motorway today and noticed alot of trees have been cleared.
will try get down on old road next week and have a propper look

The Real B-man

vickers209 wrote: »

Looks like the site work has begun went past on motorway today and noticed alot of trees have been cleared.
will try get down on old road next week and have a propper look

Seen that yesterday myself wonder why they are clearing everything off the hill seems Strange unless they are going to plant new Trees.

gavindowd

Where is the site exactly? - can I see it on google maps?

RosieJoe

gavindowd wrote: »

Where is the site exactly? - can I see it on google maps?

Do a search for Cullenmore, Wicklow in google maps and you'll see the site

Zoo4m8

Mothman wrote: »

The "green" part of the name returns...was the Green Lizard before Cullenmore. I wonder what gave it the name Green Lizard?

Delighted that this site is being used for something

And was known as ' The Rat hole ' before that, not officially of course!

Zoo4m8

spank_inferno wrote: »

The "200 jobs" line was pure pie-in-the-sky.

40-50 would be more like it.


Did anyone ever visit the Cullenmore when it was open?

Yep, many years ago a group of us stopped for refreshment, to be told ' we don't serve people on motorbikes' , one of the lads replied ' we're on foot , the motorbikes are outside ' Didn't do much for our case!

Last visit was shortly before the council took over, stopped for something to eat, they appeared to be trying to follow what was then the radical idea of serving food in pubs, anyway , the ding of the microwave from the kitchen let me know that whatever I was having was ready.....:o

vickers209

gavindowd wrote: »

Where is the site exactly? - can I see it on google maps?

Site is marked on map below just off junction 14 on n/m11

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Cullenmore,+Wicklow,+Ireland&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=53.043677,-6.090739&spn=0.006902,0.021136&sll=53.044232,-6.092391&sspn=0.013803,0.042272&geocode=FbZiKQMdIwOj_ykXlq9sobpnSDERKWvAwhA8rg%3BFdJgKQMdnRGj_w&oq=Cullenm&t=h&mra=prev&z=16

Seems like things are underway alot of the shrubs and trees have been cleared on site i seen 1 dump truck 4 excavators what i think was a shredder for shrubs/trees and a small canteen/office.

few pictures



Old Shop still there not for much longer i reckon


Machines


Latest high-tech security


Road looking wider than last time

recedite

There is a nice little woodland planted on the hill above the site. I went up that track (shown on the embankment in the photo above the blue car) 2 or 3 years ago and there were oak trees and other native species growing at about 3 metres height. Seems to be a private plantation, but still, it will be a very scenic location in a few years time when it all matures.

Reuben1210

Anyone got some photos from the latest stage of the site development?

Mushy

Seeing the pic of the little petrol station reminds me of the last time I remember being in there. Getting a lift up to the Dart to go to the Ireland v Holland match in 2001, I was like 12. The lad working in there was getting a tv brought in to watch it.

vickers209

Reuben1210 wrote: »

Anyone got some photos from the latest stage of the site development?

Took a few today progressing fairly well the frame for the new garage is up looks fairly small compared to the size of the site should be lots of parking around it.
The frame came be seen from the main road heading to Dublin.

Going in From entrance not much change yet still overgrown


Not much to be seen from the main entrance


View from the left hand side of the frame


View to the right hand side


View of the main frame


And a picture taken from the far side of slipway onto n11

tc20

I was out for a drive yesterday and dropped over to the site to have a look, it has progressed rather quickly. Thanks for the pics Vickers

Reuben1210

Hi guys! I stopped by the site yesterday morning to find they are all working around the clock at this!...seem to be finding that rock face challenging to get through since they have been at it a good while now! I agree that the actual central building looks small compared to the sitte itself but I guess it will be big enough to fit everything into. I took quite a nice video of the progress! Hope you like it!


http://youtu.be/fUgzQdXHBVc

lostinashford

Heard there was a Burger King going in, hence the amount of parking space, the equivalent one on the M1 has petrol, shop, coffee shop and burger joint and play area from what I remember. Also a load of seating. IMO it will be a white elephant, can't see it pulling in the numbers needed.

I feel sorry for the owners of the adjacent houses, only a few years peace since new road opened now they'll have to put up with this.

gozunda

The main problem with the service stations built on the M1 s that they are nearly useless for anyone traveling outside 8 am to 5 pm. Nearly all the services are shut or closed by 6 pm / arrive after 8 and virtually nothing is open except the 'shop' and the toilets. The fast food option is 'sometimes' open later. The whole service area is like a ghost town after 4 pm in my experience because everything is wound down once lunch time is over.

Junction 14 is an example of how a motorway service area should be run . They serve hot food up to 9 pm and even after that there are a number of other food options. This service area is always packed but the service is brilliant.

Huge money went into the Service areas going north and they a waste of space imo. Hope this one won't be a repeat of the M1...

Davy

Job info:> http://applegreen.ie/jobs/ireland/shop/53-new-service-station-at-cullenmore-coynes-cross

Reuben1210

:cool: For those that are interested...!!

vickers209

Was at a loose end today so got up to take a few pictures

Main entrance into site:


Shop looks high up compared to road:


Stands for canopy are erected:


Lower end of site:


Not sure what these are for at lower end of shop


Entrance into shop:

Daithi_2014

I heard this will be open next month.

Boaty

Has anyone got any figures regarding how many people applied for the jobs?

Daithi_2014

Are they building another motorway site closer to Gorey too?
When will that one be open?

Reuben1210

Yeah they are, north of Gorey..it is supposed to open later in the autumn apparently..

Ashford14

Interviews are starting over the next few days in the glenview hotel, i've heard alot of people are being interviewed. I've got mine on Tuesday.

L1011

Daithi_2014 wrote: »

Are they building another motorway site closer to Gorey too?
When will that one be open?

The NRA are building that to be operated by a concessionaire, Applegreen (or Superstop, the Applegreen/Top JV that runs the other motoreay stations) I'm pretty certain have actually ruled themselves out from that.

Daithi_2014

I wonder is cullenmore services still on track to open this month. Havent heard a word since.

vickers209

Daithi_2014 wrote: »

I wonder is cullenmore services still on track to open this month. Havent heard a word since.

Big billboard said june 2014.

They were starting to lay tarmac on roads into the site the other day and i see they have changed the road layout to give cars comming from the motorway junction right of way into/exiting the site and stoping traffic comming from the old N11/Cullenmore bends.

They have the gantries up over the pump islands and also poles for street lighting have been put up all around the site.

I will try and snap a few pictures of the progess this week.

Daithi_2014

Sounds like its nearly ready then. Unless they change the billboards to July

vickers209

Few Pictures of the latest progress as promised say its on schedule to open in June the street lighting has been on in the site too.

Main Entrance





Main front area


Main Building


Back of building


Side Entrance




Pump island


Panoramic view

Boaty

28th of May or would it be June? Is when its being opened.
There were around 900 jobs applications.

Cheeky Chops

Boaty wrote: »

28th of May or would it be June? Is when its being opened.
There were around 900 jobs applications.

900 for how many jobs? Wow.

Boaty

Cheeky Chops wrote: »

900 for how many jobs? Wow.

Not sure, I reacon 50 or so

bido

Are the jobs all filled? did anyone that went for an interview get word back.

vickers209

Just had word from applegreen that this site is due to open on the 29th of may :pac:

Ashford14

It's opening the 29th of may, i've got a job there. There are 70 jobs over the whole site. It'll be applegreen cafe, costa coffee, subway and burger king.

jd

Ashford14 wrote: »

It's opening the 29th of may, i've got a job there. There are 70 jobs over the whole site. It'll be applegreen cafe, costa coffee, subway and burger king.

And rest rooms (with baby changing facilities) open to all, I presume?

Ashford14

jd wrote: »

And rest rooms (with baby changing facilities) open to all, I presume?

The store isn't open till next week but from what we are told yes there will be plenty of facilities just like the other applegreen motorway stations

spacetweek

Boaty wrote: »

Not sure, I reacon 50 or so

70 according to another post.