COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

MOTION NO. 12

MOTION: Councillor C. Keane

"That this Committee discuss the K type barrier agreed for Woodstown (at Knocklyon Park on St. Colmcilles way) in response to my motion no. 14 April 13th 2010 and agree an  alternative i.e. to consider removing the swinging gate which causes the main problem and place a metal  barrier outside along the footpath to obstruct the direct passage of pedestrians onto the road as the residents association consider the K type barrier large and unsightly .This would also be a less expensive option."

REPORT:

The current anti-cycle gate located at the pedestrian access to Knocklyon Park from St. Colmcilles Way is referred to as a kissing gate and is to a standard design that is used throughout the parks and open spaces in the South Dublin administrative area.  Its function is to particularly impede access to public open space areas by motorcycles but the gate is designed to facilitate access for standard wheelchairs and children's buggies.  The design of the existing anti-cycle gate is also effective in alerting caution in pedestrians and slowing down their passage from the open space area to the busy thoroughfare of St. Columcille's Way. 

An alternative option, known as a k-barrier (details provided) has been installed in some of our parks in recent times and it was suggested that the residents of Woodstown might wish to consider the suitability of this type of access gate for the location in question. However, it would appear that there is a desire to remove the existing barrier completely and not replace it with any alternative. 

The option of removing the existing pedestrian barrier completely and replacing it with a traffic barrier along the footpath would result in the open space and pitches at Woodstown being exposed to use by motorbikes/scramblers etc. Pedestrian entrances to parkland/open spaces must be secured in order to prevent damage to these open spaces and pitches by motorbikes/scramblers.   The Parks and Landscape Services Department will make arrangements to meet with and discuss the alternatives with representaives of the Residents Association.