COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 09, 2009

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor C. Brophy

That this Council agrees to the introduction of a pilot scheme to provide 'children at play' signs to local residents associations without charge.  Such a scheme could include a limit per year on the number of signs and an equal division throughout the County.  The current situation where communities with greater wealth can easily afford to pay for such signs which the Council then erects without charge is manifestly unfair, as other communities with equal or greater need, but who cannot afford to buy the signs, are left with their children facing greater risks when playing in their area.

REPORT:

The introduction of a scheme as set out in the motion would require detailed consideration. If the motion is passed the matter will be referred to the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee for examination. The matter will also have to be considered in the light of the current financial climate and other pressing demands for any available finance. The presence of a proliferation of signage can also have a negative effect on road safety.

It should also be noted  that the provision of "Children at Play" signs is only one of a number of initiatives that the Council has taken in recent years to decrease the speed of vehicles in residential areas. Significant investments have been made in traffic calming schemes and the formation of traffic cells in residential areas and when taken together with the provision of other signing and lining measures have generated a substantially safer environment along the lines envisaged in the motion. The absence or otherwise of "Children at Play" signage would have a minor affect in such circumstances.