HelpDesk

Michael McAleer answers your questions

Michael McAleeranswers your questions

From M Boyle:

Tim O'Brien's article in Motors last week prompts me to suggest that the Naas road section of the N7 ought to be left as it is, until the existing hazards are dealt with.

There are several bus stops, a bus lane, numerous field gates, a farmyard or two, filling stations and local access lanes, all opening directly on to this road: any of these could give rise to a serious crash.

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As he points out, access to a genuine motorway is restricted to the grade-separated junctions - this part of the N7 simply doesn't qualify for re-designation.

From Gordon M Duncan, Monkstown, Co Dublin:

I refer to Tim O'Briens's article in last week's Motors supplement about re-designating roads as motorways.

It is my understanding that roads can only be designated as motorways if there is a suitable alternative route for traffic not permitted to use the motorways. This is the case on existing motorways, where the original road is still available to traffic. An example of this is the N7/M7, where the Naas road section is not motorway, as there is no alternative route. Naas and beyond are served by the original N7, as well as the M7.

Another point I would like to raise is the designation of motorway-standard dual carriageways. Perhaps the term "freeway" would be the most appropriate. In France, Australia and some other countries, these are indicated by a sign showing the front of a car, with radiator, headlights and windscreen. Maybe these signs could be considered in this country.

In response to Mr Boyle's query, the N7 would certainly be a case in point where redesignation would not seem appropriate.

However, there are several new stretches of dual carriageway where no such access is currently in existence, but where councillors do not seem to want to rule out the opportunity of access and development in the future. That's why redesignation seems to be delayed.

As for Mr Duncan, you are correct regarding the issue of alternative routes, although it is worth noting that in many instances such alternatives are available, even if they are not exactly parallel with the new tolled motorway route.

As for renaming the roads "freeways", Tim O'Brien says that the term "highways" has been suggested on several occasions in the past, but has not been adopted.

Regardless of what we call them, if engineers believe a road is capable of taking a 120km/h speed limit, then pedantic arguments over naming issues should not hold it back.

If an alternative route is available for provisional drivers and others not permitted on the motorway network, and provided the road is safe to take it, then they should be upgraded.

From Colette Ware:

Three years ago, I changed my Toyota for the same reason as Mr Murtagh (in last week's HelpDesk). I acquired a Renault Kangoo. It is excellent, easy to access, economical and not expensive. There is plenty of headroom, wide front doors and sliding rear doors.

Loading and unloading the boot is easy, a must for people with back problems. I am surprised it does not get more attention.

Thanks for the advice. I am less surprised that it doesn't get that much attention.

It's a great load carrier, and the side sliding doors are very functional, but it is to all intents and purposes a van. That puts people off, along with its design - or lack thereof. It's also slightly more expensive but less well equipped than the Suzuki SX4 we suggested, with features like ABS braking as an option rather than standard.

From J Cleary, Co Kildare:

I was recently on holidays with my family in California and after filling up with gas at a station, I noticed the car pictured above.

It must be some test model and I thought the reg unique. Also, where we were - Mammoth Lakes - is a town on the edge of the Mohavi Desert and has high mountain ranges used for skiing in the winter. Maybe it was desert testing or mountain testing?

From the styling, it is clearly a BMW, and though I can't make out the side profile, I would suspect it is either a final test on the new 1-Series coupé or, as you say, warm-weather or altitude testing on the upcoming 3-Series facelift.

BMW is doing a lot of testing at present so don't be surprised to see them on the roads.

They have the new X6 crossover coming out, the new 1-Series coupé, a five-door and estate version of the M3, a new 7-Series and the aforementioned facelift on the 3-Series model.

Busy times for the Bavarians, and plenty of testing around the globe.

Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara St, Dublin 2 or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie