M7 - Naas/Newbridge Bypass Upgrade [Junction 9a now open]

dashcamdanny · 22-04-2021 12:52pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I walked as far as the applegreen (coming from Naas) last weekend - I had no idea that the vast majority of the ringroad had no cycling/walking provision whatsoever. That was hardly building/planning for the future!

They are trying to send pedestrian traffic down a newly built path to the canal. The only foot path you will be on till you eventually get to the bypass.

Its at the millennium rd motorway bridge.

From the canal bridge on the Osbertowns rd, you then have to walk or cycle a very dangerous and fast road, with double solid white lines (again with no path) to the road where the Leinster Aqueduct is.

From about 300m down that country road (with no path), they built two paths onto the bypass.

Its very typically Irish. And does nothing for the community who have been campaigning for years for safer infrastructure . Especially with the new secondary school on the verge of opening.
What is going to happen when that school opens, is children trying to negotiate the two new motorway roundabouts while walking on a road. What could possible go wrong!!

veryangryman · 22-04-2021 2:12pm

cantalach wrote: »

By that logic the signs on the M7 as you come out of Dublin wouldn't show the distance to Cork because the M7 goes to Limerick. Similarly, the M4 signs wouldn't show Galway because the M4/N4 goes to Sligo. There is provision in the road signage manual for destinations off the mainline route to be shown. The mandated format is to put those destinations in parentheses. He has a point.

Some places still do that crapp. From Maynooth interchange, you'd struggle to find Galway

https://goo.gl/maps/PHq3A2rdg3Vof3Rx7

No wonder the annonymous man looks confused

22-04-2021 2:12pm

Yeah, I walked as far as Osberstown Cottages along the canal and then turned back to head out the millennium ringroad. It's insane that in 2020/21, for an additional trivial cost, they didn't put in active travel provision for the future - Naas/Sallins is going to continue to grow (both in its own right and as a commuter suburb for Dublin) and the new ringroad is inevitably going to become part of the ribbon development.

veryangryman · 22-04-2021 2:50pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah, I walked as far as Osberstown Cottages along the canal and then turned back to head out the millennium ringroad. It's insane that in 2020/21, for an additional trivial cost, they didn't put in active travel provision for the future - Naas/Sallins is going to continue to grow (both in its own right and as a commuter suburb for Dublin) and the new ringroad is inevitably going to become part of the ribbon development.

Don't think there's much on the ringroad other than getting to your destination. If cycling-commuting, one would go through the town? Maybe there's some plan for Liffey Greenway, i'm speculating here.

With a bit of luck there will be some cop from the council not to build on the bypass. Defeats it's function.

WishUWereHere · 22-04-2021 9:31pm

Stan27 wrote: »

I drove the sallins bypass today. (Clane to waterford direction). It is excellent

I have driven the opposite way in the mornings. Also excellent job done, with smooth tar laid, sure puts the inside lane between J9 & j10 SB to shame.

One query: anyone know why already there is a lane closure? I am referring to the Clane slip road at J9a NB so soon after opening?

Darc19 · 22-04-2021 10:19pm

WishUWereHere wrote: »

I have driven the opposite way in the mornings. Also excellent job done, with smooth tar laid, sure puts the inside lane between J9 & j10 SB to shame

Lane 1 between on the entire project was a simple resurface over a well used road.

22-04-2021 11:39pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Don't think there's much on the ringroad other than getting to your destination. If cycling-commuting, one would go through the town? Maybe there's some plan for Liffey Greenway, i'm speculating here.

With a bit of luck there will be some cop from the council not to build on the bypass. Defeats it's function.

The southern bypass is busily being overtaken by ribbon development!

I don't know what the long term plans for canal path are, but on my walk it didn't exactly seem aimed at cycle commuting (or anything a bit more than a VERY leisurely cycle), and the main sallins-naas road isn't very amenable to cycling nor does it have the width to add modern cycling facilities without taking away from the pedestrian.

Again, it's 2021. Putting in walkways and cyclelanes on a brand new ringroad/bypass/link road on what's likely to be one of the faster growing towns in the country in the years ahead isn't exactly 'out there' as a concept! It doesn't add exorbitantly to the cost and it's much cheaper to do at build phase.

silver2020 · 23-04-2021 10:43am

The Naas ring road / bypass and local roads are probably better suited to the Kildare forum and a specific thread there.

Ideally a ring road should be for vehicles but with substantial new cycle/pedestrian priority given in the town centre.

23-04-2021 1:59pm

silver2020 wrote: »

Ideally a ring road should be for vehicles but with substantial new cycle/pedestrian priority given in the town centre.

Why should ring roads only be for vehicles? As a cycle commuter in Dublin, I'd rather indirect roads with less junctions/interference than going a more 'direct' but busier route - I doubt it's any different elsewhere in towns across the country.

My brother cycle commutes from Rathcoole to Dublin 12, he'd much rather be able to cycle along the N7 safely, at high speed and without interference than go via citywest, tallaght, ballymount and walkinstown.

Again, this stuff is patently obvious so I don't really understand why people are being dimly argumentative about it.

If you're building new roads around existing settlements, include cycling&walking provision.

silver2020 · 23-04-2021 2:41pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Why should ring roads only be for vehicles? As a cycle commuter in Dublin, I'd rather indirect roads with less junctions/interference than going a more 'direct' but busier route - I doubt it's any different elsewhere in towns across the country.

My brother cycle commutes from Rathcoole to Dublin 12, he'd much rather be able to cycle along the N7 safely, at high speed and without interference than go via citywest, tallaght, ballymount and walkinstown.

Again, this stuff is patently obvious so I don't really understand why people are being dimly argumentative about it.

If you're building new roads around existing settlements, include cycling&walking provision.

again, this is more suited to the naas thread.

It seems you didn't read the second half of my sentence that if its for vehicles only the town centre / more DIRECT routes should change to pedestrian/cycle priority. EG, town centre routes that gives priority to cyclists and pedestrians over vehicles effectively pushing cars to the ringroad and making it far safer.

Sam Russell · 23-04-2021 9:51pm

Mod: @ Silver2020

Less of the backseat modding. Use the Report post or PM a mod instead.

BuzzFish · 02-06-2021 1:36pm

Full road safety audit published by Cllr Bill Clear:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=980584459437407&id=326703511492175

Darc19 · 02-06-2021 3:03pm

BuzzFish wrote: »

Full road safety audit published by Cllr Bill Clear:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=980584459437407&id=326703511492175

Put this in context as Bill Clear loves to mouth off without context.

This was a "snagging" report for want of better word. It was commissioned by Siac Colas in March before the opening and after they completed the works to the designs set out.

And it is not designed for pedestrians - it is NOT a walking route for Bill Clear's mates - the idea is to take traffic from sallins to make sallins pedestrian and cycle friendly.

Many of the issues are minor and were corrected before opening. If you drive on the bypass you'll find that all of the urgent matters are completed and were completed at the time of opening. - Bill Clear won't say that as its does not suit his hysterical attention grabbing need for publicity.

Bill Clear is a hysterical mouthpiece - his ramblings are best avoided.

riddlinrussell · 03-06-2021 12:25pm

Darc19 wrote: »

Put this in context as Bill Clear loves to mouth off without context.

This was a "snagging" report for want of better word. It was commissioned by Siac Colas in March before the opening and after they completed the works to the designs set out.

And it is not designed for pedestrians - it is NOT a walking route for Bill Clear's mates - the idea is to take traffic from sallins to make sallins pedestrian and cycle friendly.

Many of the issues are minor and were corrected before opening. If you drive on the bypass you'll find that all of the urgent matters are completed and were completed at the time of opening. - Bill Clear won't say that as its does not suit his hysterical attention grabbing need for publicity.

Bill Clear is a hysterical mouthpiece - his ramblings are best avoided.

The 'Purpose' of the bypass is indeed to move traffic out of the village, that does not mean that you can simply ignore or make minimal effort with the provision of Pedestrian and cycling facilities on the route, as you say this is the 'snagging' report, and aspects relating to the carriageways were handled as required before opening, but not so with pedestrian and cycling issues, the biggest 'fix' I have seen was a cycling logo burned off the ground on approach to the railway underpass, making that section 'pedestrian only'. That section includes no barrier at a sharp corner in the pedestrian path, leaving maybe a metre gap of flat dirt between the pedestrian path and full dual carriageway traffic. The lack of walking and cycling provision along the remainder of the dual carriageway across the motorway junction, directly linking Sallins by foot and bike with the new Naas Community College is a big planning fail. And the exits onto the canal bank road for cyclists and pedestrians have poor visibility and no signage, still!

I'm not going to pass comment regarding Bill's agenda or social media handling, but the bypass is a modern Irish road and should therefore adequately serve ALL users, not just motorists.

BuzzFish · 08-06-2021 7:46am

Am I the only one to think they did the right thing not having cycle/walking lanes at a junction with multiple free flow lanes entering and leaving a motorway which bikes and walkers would have to cross? Seems like a recipe for disaster to me if they did. I think they were 100% right sending them an alternative route.

riddlinrussell · 08-06-2021 11:33am

BuzzFish wrote: »

Am I the only one to think they did the right thing not having cycle/walking lanes at a junction with multiple free flow lanes entering and leaving a motorway which bikes and walkers would have to cross? Seems like a recipe for disaster to me if they did. I think they were 100% right sending them an alternative route.

I'd be inclined to agree if the alternative was a well considered and high quality protected route, but its both haphazard and disjointed. Honestly there probably should have been a commitment to a pedestrian bridge across the motorway, similar to what would have been done in the Netherlands, but given this is Ireland the cycle/walking alternative route being safe and continuous would have been sensible.

I have the same issue further up at the Naas/Newbridge road junction. I wouldn't want or expect pedestrians and cyclists to traverse that junction, but the former junction (now just a bridge over from bundle of sticks roundabout) is perfect for an alternative route for Peds and cyclists, then a track along the side of the motorway and link in to the Newbridge road there. They are upgrading the floods cross junction soon to a roundabout with pedestrian and cycling facilities so its not like they don't expect cyclists and walkers along it, even though its currently a distinctly unpleasant environment for them.

Pete_Cavan · 08-06-2021 7:56pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

I have the same issue further up at the Naas/Newbridge road junction. I wouldn't want or expect pedestrians and cyclists to traverse that junction, but the former junction (now just a bridge over from bundle of sticks roundabout) is perfect for an alternative route for Peds and cyclists, then a track along the side of the motorway and link in to the Newbridge road there.

What happened to the northbound off ramp, could it become part of a ped/cycling route?

riddlinrussell · 09-06-2021 12:08pm

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

What happened to the northbound off ramp, could it become part of a ped/cycling route?

Yeah it would be perfect as part of a Ped/Cycling link

Truckermal · 19-06-2021 11:25am

Any hope of getting an extension to the Sallins by pass that would extend beyond Clane to link the M4?

silver2020 · 19-06-2021 11:57am

Truckermal wrote: »

Any hope of getting an extension to the Sallins by pass that would extend beyond Clane to link the M4?

Based on the time line for this one, I suspect such a project would be due for completion in 2091

I doubt such a plan would work as it would bring far too much traffic in to the area.

Golden Horde · 24-06-2021 2:28pm

I see the link road from the roundabout into Sallins village via Lidl is now open.

Drove along the link road and bypass to junction 9a this morning and it struck me that the landscaping on the project is apalling.

Don't know whether that is the contractors fault or Kildare CoCo, but the link road really they've just built a road and paths and that's it. No landscaping done to plant grass, trees etc. Really looks poor and for many will be the main route into Sallins it doesn't create a good impression.

Not bypass related, but the council are installing a bus stop in the village - plonked right in front of one of the few existing flower beds obscuring it completely. It's like the council just doesn't care about the visual impact or having an attractive public space.

Rant over.

riddlinrussell · 24-06-2021 3:48pm

Golden Horde wrote: »

I see the link road from the roundabout into Sallins village via Lidl is now open.

Drove along the link road and bypass to junction 9a this morning and it struck me that the landscaping on the project is apalling.

Don't know whether that is the contractors fault or Kildare CoCo, but the link road really they've just built a road and paths and that's it. No landscaping done to plant grass, trees etc. Really looks poor and for many will be the main route into Sallins it doesn't create a good impression.

Not bypass related, but the council are installing a bus stop in the village - plonked right in front of one of the few existing flower beds obscuring it completely. It's like the council just doesn't care about the visual impact or having an attractive public space.

Rant over.

Having walked the bypass and the link road there is plenty of planting, it just hasn't actually grown in yet, of course there is no grass, KCC is signed up to the national biodiversity plan so grass is no longer recommended over letting the sides go wild, which is what's happening for the most part, with saplings planted along the sides also. There is a multitude of really nice wildflower (Poppies, wild mustard, red campion, scarlet pimpernel etc) growing already and this is only its first year on very disturbed ground, so very hopeful for it going forward.

Tomrota · 25-06-2021 11:14am

Golden Horde wrote: »

I see the link road from the roundabout into Sallins village via Lidl is now open.

Drove along the link road and bypass to junction 9a this morning and it struck me that the landscaping on the project is apalling.

Don't know whether that is the contractors fault or Kildare CoCo, but the link road really they've just built a road and paths and that's it. No landscaping done to plant grass, trees etc. Really looks poor and for many will be the main route into Sallins it doesn't create a good impression.

Not bypass related, but the council are installing a bus stop in the village - plonked right in front of one of the few existing flower beds obscuring it completely. It's like the council just doesn't care about the visual impact or having an attractive public space.

Rant over.

I think we’re lucky to be getting a few bus shelters in the area. Its not often we see improvements to public transport in Naas/Sallins area. They’re usually too busy with Maynooth and Celbridge.

BuzzFish · 04-11-2021 9:07pm

Interesting comment and comments on the local Naas Ball Facebook page today:

https://m.facebook.com/story/graphql_permalink/?graphql_id=UzpfSTE0NzY0MDUwNDYwMDM4NTg6MjkwOTcwODIzMjY3MzUyNQ%3D%3D

NedNew2 · 09-04-2022 11:06pm

Not directly related to this project (but I couldn't find a better thread).

KCC in their draft County Development Plan (https://draftkildarecdp2023-2029.ie/) has an objective as below. It's not clear to me whether the intention is that the M9 may be accessed from Junction 12 or whether this would be additional to an all movements J11.

TM O76

Provide for all vehicle movements from the west to the south as well as from the south to the west at the M7 (Junction 11) / M9 (Junction 1) Interchange and to investigate the feasibility of providing for a M9/M7 interchange connection along the M7 at Junction 12.

pad199207 · 12-04-2022 12:07pm

Y Interchange I guess is what they are talking about

Chris_5339762 · 13-04-2022 10:51am

Yes, that. Should have been done years ago - same for the M7/8. We shouldn't be having restricted interchanges between motorways, it's silly.

medoc · 13-04-2022 11:42am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118920254#Comment_118920254

Exactly. And hopefully they plan and build accordingly for the M20/M21. At the very least synchronise the plans and which ever is built first has easy provision for the other.

prunudo · 13-04-2022 1:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118920254#Comment_118920254

Just follows the trend of cost saving on initial infrastructure projects only to add the features at a later date at a vast increase compared to the original savings.

KrisW1001 · 13-04-2022 4:50pm

The route taken by M9 and M7 made an all-movements junction a waste of money, given how far out of the way it would drag drivers wanting a movement to/from N7 West. After Kilcullen, M9 heads north-east for 4km, before joining M7. If M7 J11 allowed you to turn left onto M7 West, all you’ve achieved is an 8~10km long U-turn.

What I think would be of more use would be a northward spur connecting M9 North/South to the western end of the R445 dual-carriageway. Something like this:

As ever, no more than ten minutes of thought has been expended about how practical or cost-effective this arrangement would be .

pad199207 · 13-04-2022 5:49pm

Free flow please to the above 😁

Chris_5339762 · 13-04-2022 9:07pm

At the start, when it was opened, I would agree, it made no sense with the roads around Kilkullen. But the missing movements should have been added with the Kilkullen to Carlow scheme.

Pete_Cavan · 18-11-2022 10:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/116908394#Comment_116908394

KCC have now published the CPOs for this project;

https://consult.kildarecoco.ie/en/consultation/r445-newhall-junction-improvement-project-compulsory-purchase-order-no1-2022

dublincc2 · 07-09-2023 4:53pm

Just a query, was the original route of the M7 intended to go from Naas to Cashel with spurs from Cashel to Limerick and Cork? This is an old newspaper article which illustrates what I’m referring to, why wasn’t it built like this:

Hotblack Desiato · 07-09-2023 5:58pm

One motorway to replace the N4, N6, N7 and N8, while making all trips except possibly Dublin-Galway longer?

Massive congestion and total lack of redundancy just to save a few quid (upfront). That's the normal way we do things actually...

M7 - Naas/Newbridge Bypass Upgrade [Junction 9a now open]

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