COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, November 27, 2017

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor M. Duff

"That this Committee calls on the Chief Executive to take action to prevent access by Scrambler bikes to the Arena Road at Tymon Park. The current pedestrian access point enables those using Scramblers to gain entry to the Arena Road, when the main gates are closed at night time. The noise of these Scramblers are causing upset to families in Balrothery and Castle Lawn estates and their presence poses a health and safety risk to those using the Park."

REPORT:

The Council is aware of protracted and on-going problems associated with scramblers and has been working with An Garda Síochána in relation to this issue.

Public Realm works have been initiated in attempts to combat the problem e.g. run of 1.2 metre high fencing along the side of the green space areas, provision of bollards etc. but these have not stemmed the actions of a minority who continue to engage in anti-social and menacing behaviour.

Similarly, An Garda Síochána, South Dublin County Council and Motorcycling Ireland launched an awareness campaign about the correct use of quads bikes and scramblers in advance of Christmas 2016. This campaign requested parents who were considering buying these bikes as a Christmas present for their child to make sure that they were informed as to the legal requirements around these bikes and the use of them.  A similar campaign will be initiated this year.

It is considered that the Council's Parks and Open Spaces Byelaws are sufficiently strong to enable enforcement by AGS within the Council’s parks and open spaces and Clause 3.1 h refers as follows "....... 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 Síochána".

While it is acknowledged that there is difficulty in bringing successful prosecutions, the Council passed a motion at the January 2017 Council meeting calling for the introduction of primary legislation to regulate ownership and use of vehicles. The Minister for Justice’s reply at that time indicated that such legislation would require a review of road traffic legislation and the communication had been referred to that Department.  As no response was received from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, a reminder was recently issued to his office.

As the problem is not limited to any one area, it was recently considered appropriate to (November 2017 Counci Meeting) establishment a county / regional task force comprising of Environment Public Realm and Climate Change and Land Use Planning & Transportation SPC and in the context of the region by the other Dublin LA's that are incurring similar scrambler related issues. Arrangments are now being made to establish that forum.

The layout of the access to Arena Road at Tymon Park will be examined by the Council's Public Realm Section to determine what modifications, if any, could be implemented in such a way as to restrict entry to the park at this point by scramblers.  It should be noted that access can be gained to the park by scramblers and motorbikes at a number of other locations around this 300 acre park.  The Council will endeavour to take any actions which are open to it to prevent this access occuring however.