COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 10, 2008

HEADED ITEM NO. 13

REPORT ON VEHICLES FOR SALE ON PUBLIC ROADS

In recent times there has been a significant increase in the illegal and highly dangerous practice of the parking of motor vehicles for sale on public roads including footpaths and grass margins.  This illegal practice is taking place at an increasing  number of locations throughout the county and is contrary to the provisions of Section 71 of the Roads Act, 1993. The matter was considered by the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee at its meeting held on 8th November 2007 and the following draft policy initiative was considered.

"The Council is concerned that the practice of parking of motor vehicles for sale on public roads including footpaths and grass margins is creating a serious hazard for all road users (both pedestrians and motorists) and the following measures are put forward to address this issue:-

1. Any vehicle found offered for sale on the public roadside will be fixed with a sticker instructing its removal within 24 hours.  If the vehicle is not removed, or if the same vehicle is found offered for sale on the public roadside at any time in the future, it will be removed by the County Council in accordance with the provisions of the Roads Act and stored for a maximum of six (6) weeks, before being disposed of.

2. The Council will engage a competent contractor(s) for the removal and storage of such unauthorised vehicles.

3.  Persons seeking to reclaim the vehicle must pay the costs of removal and storage of the vehicle in full to the Council before the impounded vehicle can be released."

The Council at its meeting on 10th December 2007 approved the recommendation of the Transportation SPC and adopted the policy initiative. It was indicated that implementation of this policy would commence after the necessary arrangements for the introduction of the new procedures had been made and after the placing of a Public Notice in National and Local Press. It was anticipated that the policy would be introduced initially on a pilot basis in identified areas across the County in co-operation with An Garda Siochana and would begin during the first quarter of 2008.

Since the adoption of the policy considerable progress has been made. A competent contractor for the removal and storage of any vehicles has been procured for the pilot phases and the protocols for the introduction of the initiative have been finalised. Arrangements have been made to publish the Public Notice in the National Press on Friday next 7th March 2008 and in Local Press on their publication date next week. Arrangements for co-ordination with the Gardai have also been finalised. It is anticipated notwithstanding the approach of the St Patricks and Easter Holiday periods that the roll-out of the policy initiative will be underway before the end of the month.