COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, April 23, 2018

QUESTION NO. 12

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the Chief Executive what action he proposes to deal with the serious issue of Scramblers operating in Dodder Valley Park to the serious distress of residents of Old Bawn and the wider area; will he appreciate the need for immediate action and make a statement?"

REPLY:

"The issue of scramblers was raised on the agenda of the March meeting of the County Council.  The following report was given in response to that motion.

The Council is acutely aware of long and on-going problems associated with scramblers and has been in liaison with An Garda Síochána in relation to this issue for some time.  Public Realm works have been initiated in some locations in an attempt 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 and we continue to explore opportunities to address the access problems. 

The subject and potential for establishing a regional Task Force was recently considered by the EPR&CC SPC at its February 2018 meeting following referral to it from the November 2017 Council Meeting, having initially been considered and referred from the October 2017 Clondalkin ACM.  Cllr Francis Timmons was nominated from the EPR&CC SPC and the motion was also noted at the recent Land Use Planning & Transportation SPC. Given the ongoing engagement of the Council's Road Safety Officer with An Garda Síochána and Motorcycling Ireland in relation to such issues, it has been agreed that the Council's Road Safety Officer will sit on this group.  It is now also proposed to make direct contact with the other Dublin Authorities and AGS to seek nominations for a Regional Task Force. 

Dodder Valley Park will be examined to determine what physical works could be carried out there to help control and prevent access there for scramblers."