M7/M8 Portlaoise-Castletown-Cullahill Motorway (incl. Abbeyleix Bypass)

MidlandsM · 02-06-2010 6:10pm

Who can I email in Fermoy to seek figures?

Chris_5339762 · 02-06-2010 6:14pm

Furet wrote: »

Added only in the past hour. Fair play to the NRA for getting onto them about this so quickly.

Methinks certain people read this forum

sdanseo · 02-06-2010 7:44pm

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

Methinks certain people read this forum

Clearly. No way that's a coincidence. Careful what we say folks :P :P

John C · 02-06-2010 11:39pm

MidlandsM wrote: »

Who can I email in Fermoy to seek figures?

http://www.directroute.ie/directroute/contact

DirectRoute (Fermoy) Limited
Richmond Hill, Richmond House, Fermoy, Co-Cork
Tel: 025 51 936
Fax: 025 51 952
E-Mail: info@directroute.ie

http://nra.ie/NetworkManagement/TrafficCounts/
Shows traffic counts. It is currently 23:35 BST, 02nd June offline.

Dubluc · 03-06-2010 10:59pm

StPatsFc wrote: »

Going to Templemore in a week or two from Dublin.
Unsure weather to take the M8(Thurles/2MileBorris slip) or go with the M7 to B-I-O.
What you think? Much of a muchness Id say

I suggest going by Rathdowney via R433 at J3 M8 if you don't want to go by Borris in Ossory. (Route is J3 M8, Rathdowney, Errill, Clonmore, Templemore)

I travel to Templemore regularly and have found before upgrade that journey to Templemore is 1 hour 40 minutes from M50 via Roscrea obeying speed limits.

Last weekend going to Cork journey to J3 M8 was 55 minutes. I'm told Templemore to J3 via R433 is approx 20 to 25 minutes.

You are going way out of the way going to Two Mile Borris. Thurles 8 miles from Templemore and Two Mile Borris is another fifteen minutes. Not to mention anothe five or ten minutes on the M8

Hope this helps. Safe driving!

Our man in Havana · 03-06-2010 11:05pm

The R433 from Errill to Templemore is in an appalling state. You will destroy your suspension with all the potholes.

MidlandsM · 03-06-2010 11:07pm

Dubluc wrote: »

I suggest going by Rathdowney via R433 at J3 M8 if you don't want to go by Borris in Ossory. (Route is J3 M8, Rathdowney, Errill, Clonmore, Templemore)

I travel to Templemore regularly and have found before upgrade that journey to Templemore is 1 hour 40 minutes from M50 via Roscrea obeying speed limits.

Last weekend going to Cork journey to J3 M8 was 55 minutes. I'm told Templemore to J3 via R433 is approx 20 to 25 minutes.

You are going way out of the way going to Two Mile Borris. Thurles 8 miles from Templemore and Two Mile Borris is another fifteen minutes. Not to mention anothe five or ten minutes on the M8

Hope this helps. Safe driving!

*Caution required* - the road from Rathdowney, Errill, Clonmore, Templemore is in a terrible state - MASSIVE POTHOLES. If you don't know the road and where the holes are, you could damage a tyre,rim or suspension component, its that bad.

Our man in Havana · 03-06-2010 11:17pm

MidlandsM wrote: »

*Caution required* - the road from Rathdowney, Errill, Clonmore, Templemore is in a terrible state - MASSIVE POTHOLES. If you don't know the road and where the holes are, you could damage a tyre,rim or suspension component, its that bad.

It has gotten to the stage where I have stopped using the road and now go to Thurles via Johnstown and Urlingford and the M8.

Dubluc · 03-06-2010 11:17pm

MidlandsM wrote: »

*Caution required* - the road from Rathdowney, Errill, Clonmore, Templemore is in a terrible state - MASSIVE POTHOLES. If you don't know the road and where the holes are, you could damage a tyre,rim or suspension component, its that bad.

Acknowledged but if you take care and above all obey speed limits you will still get there safely.

The worst section is between Lisduff Quarry and Clonmore.

This road is to be improved in the next few weeks as locals near Templemore were recently told there will be roadworks.

Incidently this hasn't made any significant impact on the number of speeders.

Our man in Havana · 03-06-2010 11:20pm

You would be mad to speed on that road.

Dubluc · 03-06-2010 11:26pm

I know the area well, believe me I've seen them, been passed by them. Lunatics! Strangely they never seem to suffer car damage. Just the poor suckers like you and me!

The surface is very bad in places alright but the original poster will make time over going to Two Mile Borris going this way.

However as I said originally he also has Borris in Ossory, Roscrea route.

Again i emphasise drive safely.

smiddyboy · 04-06-2010 12:03am

MidlandsM wrote: »

I was in Johnstown today for a period, and its still getting a fair share of HGV's passingh thru and going onto the M8 @ urlingford- I note a lot of the same haulage co's using it namely Toner, Denis J. Downey to name just 2.
Exit 3 (@manor stone) is quiter tho' for HGV's - there is a few coming off there but no where near as many as there is in Johnstown.

I live in Johnstown and can confirm that there are basically more HGV's on the road than cars now! I used often go for walks or on my bike up to where the Cullahill roundabout was, and the road was much quieter before the new motorway opened. It has ruined our evening walks!

The speed that the HGV's roar through the town is shocking.

MidlandsM · 04-06-2010 12:05am

smiddyboy wrote: »

I live in Johnstown and can confirm that there are basically more HGV's on the road than cars! I used often go for walks or on my bike up to where the Cullahill roundabout was, and the road was much quieter before the new motorway opened. It has ruined our evening walks!

The speed that the HGV's roar through the town is shocking.

I hear ya......what can be done? Can they BAN them from the Town?

Our man in Havana · 04-06-2010 12:12am

Short of sticking a weight restriction on the old road there is nothing that can be done. There has to be a toll free route available. I guess the hauliers won't pay the toll.

Nuttzz · 04-06-2010 1:27am

smiddyboy wrote: »

I live in Johnstown and can confirm that there are basically more HGV's on the road than cars now! I used often go for walks or on my bike up to where the Cullahill roundabout was, and the road was much quieter before the new motorway opened. It has ruined our evening walks!

The speed that the HGV's roar through the town is shocking.

I hate to say it but good, that means less grannies plodding along at 90 in the overtaking lane trying to over take a truck

I heard the same about the M1 when it first opened and the HGV drivers did avoid it for a while, but it didnt last more thana couple of months I'd expect the same on the m8

Wild Bill · 04-06-2010 6:32am

Stonewolf wrote: »

They're still carrying on the ridiculous policy of tolling motorbikes. I'll keep on rolling up to the booth, putting it in neutral, taking my gloves off, opening my pocket, fishing the kinder yolk out of my pocket, tipping the change into the persons hand, closing the yolk, putting it back in my pocket, closing the pocket, putting my gloves on, and getting back into gear ...

So, you're the p***** was on the M4 yesterday......! :cool:

Enbee · 04-06-2010 8:11am

MidlandsM wrote: »

I hear ya......what can be done? Can they BAN them from the Town?

Presumably the bypassed towns will have new traffic calming measures introduced?

GeneHunt · 04-06-2010 11:04am

Nuttzz wrote: »

I heard the same about the M1 when it first opened and the HGV drivers did avoid it for a while, but it didnt last more thana couple of months I'd expect the same on the m8

That's not true, HGV's still roar through Slane and Collon before rejoining the M1 at junction 12 via the R169.

Jayuu · 04-06-2010 11:37am

Just a couple of photos I took on the day the road opened. Not as good as the one previously posted.

040.JPG - The old N8 exit now redesignated the N77
049.JPG - Approach to the Toll Plaza
051.JPG - The Toll Plaza
057.JPG - 4km Advance warning for the M8 (There's another one at 2km)
061.JPG - 1km M8 gantries

Jayuu · 04-06-2010 11:48am

And some more. Again apologies for some of the quality on these.

062.JPG - VMS welcoming you to Ireland's newest motorway (not as of today!)
064.JPG - M7/M8 split
065.JPG - Directional signs for M7/M8 (although if you're on the wrong road here you're really screwed)
067.JPG - Warning signs about lack of online services (wasn't able to get a clear picture at all of this)
070.JPG - Exit sign for Abbeyleix/Durrow from the M8

Rovi · 04-06-2010 12:03pm

Jayuu wrote: »

Just a couple of photos I took on the day the road opened. Not as good as the one previously posted.

049.JPG - Approach to the Toll Plaza

Get orf moi laaaaand!

CrowdedHouse · 04-06-2010 12:45pm

...So Rovi - what's it like to be a millionaire......:D

Rovi · 04-06-2010 2:04pm

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

...So Rovi - what's it like to be a millionaire......:D

I'll let you know when it happens.

*runs off to do Lotto*

Steviemak · 04-06-2010 3:17pm

Haddockman wrote: »

Short of sticking a weight restriction on the old road there is nothing that can be done. There has to be a toll free route available. I guess the hauliers won't pay the toll.

There is no viable Toll Free route to the port tunnel for truckers from Cork, for example, so maybe something could be done?

Get the town council put a HGV toll on the Main St.:D

Chong · 04-06-2010 3:30pm

Lads som advice if you will,

I am driving home to Limerick tonight, tell me is this viable:

Dublin - Portlaoise - New M8 Bypass - Cashel - Tipp Town - Limerick.

Also should I go the normal route to Limerick is this new bypass taking Mountrath out of the equation as in can I do:

Dublin - Portlaoise - New M8 Bypass - BIO - Roscrea - Nenagh Limerick

Amtmann · 04-06-2010 3:34pm

Chong wrote: »

Lads som advice if you will,

I am driving home to Limerick tonight, tell me is this viable:

Dublin - Portlaoise - New M8 Bypass - Cashel - Tipp Town - Limerick.

Also should I go the normal route to Limerick is this new bypass taking Mountrath out of the equation as in can I do:

Dublin - Portlaoise - New M8 Bypass - BIO - Roscrea - Nenagh Limerick

Stick to the M7/N7.

Darwin · 04-06-2010 3:35pm

Yes, the new stretch of the M7 bypasses Mountrath and will bring you to Borris-In-Ossory.

Chong · 04-06-2010 3:37pm

Furet wrote: »

Stick to the M7/N7.

You reckon, I was just thinking I would be on Motorway from Portlaoise to Cashel and might save some time? Especially for the weekend and traffic thats in it?

Our man in Havana · 04-06-2010 3:42pm

Nope.

Amtmann · 04-06-2010 3:57pm

Chong wrote: »

You reckon, I was just thinking I would be on Motorway from Portlaoise to Cashel and might save some time? Especially for the weekend and traffic thats in it?

You'll fly down to Cashel in no time at all, but on the N74 you'll average about 75 km/h, then you'll have to go slow through Tipp town, and the N24 isn't the best road at all to be honest. I'd say it would take you 15 to 20 mins longer. It might make a nice detour I suppose.

John C · 04-06-2010 5:33pm

In the year 2005 there was pay as you go toll scheme for lorries on Autobahns introduced in Germany.
At first many many lorries dodged this toll by using federal roads. That caused chaos in many towns.

Lorries were not allowed on these national roads. Only exception was for lorries making local deliveries and collections.
Some of the Bundesstrassen were also made toll roads for lorries.

Legislation: Allow these HGVs to use non motorway roads only when they have to for local deliveries, but at no other time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LKW-MAUT

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lkw-Maut_in_Deutschland

John C · 04-06-2010 5:57pm

In the english Wikipedia article about "toll collect" for HGVs in Germany, there is little information about the regulation about lorries having to use the Autobahn.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lkw-Maut_in_Deutschland[/QUOTE]

Ausweichverkehr
In einigen Fällen kam es seit Einführung der Maut zu deutlichen Verkehrsverlagerungen von Autobahnen auf nachrangige Straßen, insbesondere Bundesstraßen. Da dies wegen der mit dem Verkehr verbundenen Belastungen unerwünscht ist, sind in konkreten Fällen folgende Gegenmaßnahmen möglich:

Ausweitung der Maut auf genau bezeichnete Abschnitte von Bundesstraßen
Durchfahrverbote für mautpflichtige Lkw, auch mit zeitlicher Beschränkung (Nachtfahrverbot), wobei Ausnahmen für Anlieger möglich sind

Traffic evading tolls
In certain cases the introduction of the Autobahn toll resulted in traffic switching to to neighbouring roads, especially Bundesstrassen / federal roads. As this along with the accompanying loading is not desirable, the following counter measures were taken:

Extending the toll onto exactly specified sections of federal roads.
Ban on toll liable lorries, along with a ban on night driving.

lartsa · 04-06-2010 10:52pm

smiddyboy wrote: »

I live in Johnstown and can confirm that there are basically more HGV's on the road than cars now! I used often go for walks or on my bike up to where the Cullahill roundabout was, and the road was much quieter before the new motorway opened. It has ruined our evening walks!

The speed that the HGV's roar through the town is shocking.

Johnstown was in an unusual situation in that it was always going to get more traffic when the motorway was complete,
for instance all the lorry traffic to / from Glanbia Ballyragget and North Tipp Cork/ West Waterford etc would have used the temporary access at Cullahill and bypassed Johnstown,
but now they use the Urlingford junction and they are back travelling thru Johnstown.

Chris_5339762 · 04-06-2010 10:56pm

Used it for the first time today. 2h45m from Newlands to Dunkettle, leaving Newlands at 545pm on a Bank Holiday weekend. Probably wasted about 30 mins on the Naas Road going at 30kmh from junction 4 to 12, absolute nightmare but when 3 lanes of traffic are crawling the left lane moves about 3x the speed of the other 2. Thank you Irish drivers for being outer lane hogs. And I had a pee break in Horse & Jockey.

I actually didnt believe people when they said "the M7/8 is bumpy", I thought back to Cashel - Mitchelstown which some said was a bit wavy but I had no problem with. But by god, from Portlaoise to the tollbooth is an absolute rollercoaster. From there to the split isnt much better but the M8 part wasnt too bad. Its my least favourite section of motorway of them all. Also, has anyone else that has driven it found it very very narrow? Seems narrower than other schemes for some reason.

nordydan · 05-06-2010 4:14pm

Drove from Milltown, Dublin to Mitchelstown in 1hr45 yesterday at 8pm. Agree it is the worst part of the road, and quite bumpy.
Came back up the road today and detoured via Rathdowney to get onto the M7 leg, getting stuck behind a gravel lorry. M7 sectiojn unremarkable, suprrised at no advance warning of M8 merge.

Btw there is a sign like this one at the start of the M7 at Naas,

https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/315073/115954.JPG

indicating lack of services and km distances to off line services. Not very effective without a km based junctioning system. I think it also lists the M9 services as well.

emfifty · 05-06-2010 7:14pm

Bards wrote: »

NRA have issued a scheme Brochure prior to the opening tomorrow

http://www.nra.ie/RepositoryforPublicationsInfo/file,17185,en.pdf

for those of you interested in brown tourist info signs, the # on exit 3 means 'property of english heritage' (referring to durrow castle i presume?). first time i have seen the symbol.

emfifty · 07-06-2010 4:55pm

went for a spin down the m7 and m8 this afternoon. lovely drive. very happy with the finish. only thing i noticed was the tight space approaching the toll plaza eastbound. i had to veer off quickly to the left to pay by cash.

trellheim · 07-06-2010 4:57pm

Just did Curragh-Cork via M8. The new section is most visible to me for its narrowness southbound, after the toll. feels very constricted.

Tech3 · 07-06-2010 4:57pm

I'm heading up on the M7 section hopefully on friday, will give a full report on the new section at the weekend and maybe some pics.

emfifty · 07-06-2010 5:12pm

trellheim wrote: »

Just did Curragh-Cork via M8. The new section is most visible to me for its narrowness southbound, after the toll. feels very constricted.

could be to do with the high fencing and barriers at the side contributing to a narrow alignment.

Jayuu · 07-06-2010 7:29pm

emfifty wrote: »

could be to do with the high fencing and barriers at the side contributing to a narrow alignment.

I think this is a good point. I assume the road is the standard width. There are sections where the fencing does seem to close right in to the road.

Here are two pictures, one with the fencing and one without that were taken not that far apart distance wise. Its easy to see why it might feel narrower. That said I wasn't too worried by it.

lottpaul · 07-06-2010 8:48pm

trellheim wrote: »

Just did Curragh-Cork via M8. The new section is most visible to me for its narrowness southbound, after the toll. feels very constricted.

Have just travelled north on the M7 from Borris and the hard shoulder seems dangerously narrow. If anything bigger than a wheelbarrow breaks down it'll be sticking way out into the main carriageway. Noticed further north on the Portlaoise section that the shoulder looked far wider.

Chris_5339762 · 07-06-2010 9:07pm

FWIW I did Cork - Dublin today and the northbound route isnt anything like as bumpy as southbound. Check that suspension before and after a southbound trip tho!

kman · 07-06-2010 9:53pm

Drove it this weekend, yes very bumpy heading south approaching the toll, would have expected better from a new motorway. Concrete barrier very close to the edge the overtaking lane in places too heading north, no room for any mistakes there ! Seemed less bumpy northbound alright. Might try and take some video next time if not already up by then.

Danno · 07-06-2010 10:30pm

Drove from Portlaoise to J3 Southbound today. Bumpy up to the toll and less so after it. It seems that the final layer was laid down in sections with the seams/joints being the cause of most of the bumps. A fine road nonetheless though and it feels a long trek compared to what the map shows. Anyone travelling Dub-Cork must think Laois is a large county!

HurlyBurly · 08-06-2010 11:22am

Plenty of toll-dodgers coming off at J3, going through Ballacolla and Abbeyleix. then back on at Portlaoise or vice versa.
And most of them think the they're still on the motorway as they do well over 100 on an 80 road.

It was very busy on friday evening, way more so than normal.

Makes it much more dangerous for locals.

Our man in Havana · 08-06-2010 11:33am

The Gardaí from Abbeyleix target the R433 between Ballacolla and Abbeyleix regularly. They should be having a bonanza these days.

MidlandsM · 08-06-2010 11:47am

Haddockman wrote: »

The Gardaí from Abbeyleix target the R433 between Ballacolla and Abbeyleix regularly. They should be having a bonanza these days.

News to me Haddockman, I've been on that road for more years than I care to remember and never once came accorss a checkpoint or speed trap....or maybe i've been lucky.:)
They (the gardai) however, are already up on the M8 creaming in some dosh, saw a few people getting done from J3 in towards the Toll - I guess the Super's under orders to get them out there making some revenue.:rolleyes:

Our man in Havana · 08-06-2010 12:23pm

I know quite a few people from Rathdowney that have been busted early mornings just outside of Ballacolla on the straights. But as you say they have diverted their attention to the easy pickings that the M8 offers.

recyclebin · 08-06-2010 1:24pm

There used to be Gardai with speed guns on the staights between Ballacolla and Abbeyleixa a lot last year. I don't think i've seen them once this year and i'd be on that road twice a day.

M7/M8 Portlaoise-Castletown-Cullahill Motorway (incl. Abbeyleix Bypass)

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