COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2011

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION:  Councillor J. Hannon

To ask the Manager to report on progress re the implementation of Development Plan Policy SCR60 re the prohibition of Off-Road vehicles in public open spaces, parks, grass verges, and public amenity areas?

REPLY:

Policy SCR 69 states :

"It is the policy of the Council to prohibit
the use of off-road motor vehicles in public
open spaces, parks, grass verges, and in all
public amenity/recreational areas, and that
bye-laws will be introduced to give effect to
this policy. The Council, in conjunction with
other stakeholders, will also seek to develop
a properly regulated facility in the County or
wider sub-region for this activity"

The Development Plan also notes that :

"It is an objective of the Dublin Mountain Partnership Strategic
Plan to identify a suitable location for the displacement
of off-road vehicle use from the main recreational parts
of the upland areas, and to assist in the provision of an
appropriate facility"

In realtion to the Council's Parks facilities, the Parks Bye Laws 2011 provide for the restriction of such off road/quad and other vehicles as follows -

Traffic:-

3.1       Save with the permission of the Council, no person shall bring into a Park any Mechanically Propelled Vehicle which includes for the avoidance of doubt motorcycles, motor-cross / quad bikes or other powered vehicles. Such vehicles may be removed from the park / open space by An Garda Siochana.

3.2       Where a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle is permitted access to a Park (e.g. Council fleet, commercial suppliers), the vehicle shall be driven carefully subject to a maximum speed limit of 20kph on the authorised routes within thePark, other than where expressly permitted by the Council.

3.3       A Mechanically Propelled Vehicle shall be parked in car parks, where provided, or in such places as may be set aside from time to time as temporary parking places.

3.4       Car parks may only be used by users and patrons of a Park. No person shall carry out commercial activity or advertising in the car parks unless permitted by the Council.  Further, no person shall make use of car park for “park and ride” purposes.  

3.5       The use of bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, roller-skates, non motorised scooters and similar vehicles are permitted subject to careful use and consideration for other Park users. A maximum speed limit of 20kph shall apply to all such vehicles with the exception of areas designated for cycle training and races by prior agreement with the Council.