Opening of IKEA store, Ballymun, Dublin on 27th July 2009.
Regional Traffic Management Plan 27th July to 3rd August 2009.
A new IKEA store located at New St. Margaret’s Road, Ballymun (exit4 M50) is due to open at on 27th July 2009 at 11a.m. Historically IKEA openings have attracted large volumes of people and severe traffic disruption as the nature of business at the store leads to most people arriving in private vehicles.
Initial forecasts suggested there would be 24,000 visitors on the first day arriving in 9,600 vehicles. IKEA have agreed, in the interests of traffic management, to have what they describe as a soft opening i.e. no special offers and they have changed the planned opening day from a Thursday to a Monday. These factors combined with the timing of the opening during peak holiday season will lesson the effect to traffic however they still forecast 17 to 20 thousand visitors arriving in 5,800 to 7,200 vehicles. It is envisaged that the following weekend being a Bank Holiday Weekend will attract large volumes also.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bank Holiday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Traffic Routes:
Prior to the opening IKEA will inform the public through press releases and their website www.ikea.ie of directions to get to the store. Signage will also be placed along the routes listed below to direct traffic to the store.
1. All approach routes to the M50 will direct traffic along the M50 to Ballymun.
2. Traffic on R132 directed via Dardistown to Collinstown Lane to Ballymun.
3. Traffic at rear of airport/ St. Margarets area directed via Harristown to Ballymun.
4. Traffic at Coolock lane directed via Santry Avenue to Ballymun.
5. Traffic signs in Ballymun Main Street will direct traffic to the store.
All traffic will eventually turn off Ballymun Road on to a new road which will be called New St. Margarets Road. This road will have traffic lights allowing traffic into the car park. These traffic lights will be controlled by Dublin City Council. The car park can accommodate 1,527 vehicles with a further 300 spaces in an overflow car park.
A route for emergency vehicles will be maintained at St. Margarets Road which can be approached from the east via Balbutcher Lane and from the west from Finglas.
Potential Traffic Disruption:
The added traffic volumes may lead to traffic disruption however the following locations have been identified as areas where Garda intervention is crucial.
1. M1/M50/N32 junction - There are roads works at this junction which is the subject of traffic disruption at the moment. This will be compounded by IKEA traffic. A VMS sign will be placed on the M1 advising traffic for IKEA to get into the left lane early.
This will prevent motorists who are not familiar with the area approaching the junction in the overtaking lane and causing disruption and a potential dangerous situation of blocking the overtaking lane while attempting to get into the left lane.
2. M50 junction "4 Ballymun" - This signal controlled roundabout will have to accommodate most IKEA traffic. If traffic backs up on the approach roads to the roundabout it will severely impact the M50 which currently has only two lanes and road works at this area. There is a danger of motorists attempting to get into the queue from the overtaking lane. VMS signs will be placed on the M50 North and South advising motorists to get in lane early. If the Southbound on lane backs up to the M1 junction it may affect the Dublin Port Tunnel and if the Northbound lane backs up it may affect traffic travelling to Dublin Airport.
3. Santry Avenue/Ballymun Road junction - This area may be affected by traffic volume.
Alleviating Measures:
The following measures have been agreed with outside agencies alleviate the traffic problems/volumes.
1. The M50 contractors will widen the ramps off the M50 at Ballymun as much as possible in advance of the 27th of July to allow traffic move more freely.
2. The M50 contractors will widen the M50 to three lanes at Ballymun for the Bank Holiday weekend only. This will allow traffic to move more freely on the M50 even if the ramp backs up onto the M50.
3. The Dublin Airport Authority has agreed to place signs identifying an alternative route from the M50 to the long term car parks via the N2 and Coldwinters.