COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, September 10, 2018
QUESTION NO 26
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive for a report into Scramblers and Quads within SDCC. How many warning letters have been sent? What efforts are being made by SDCC to tackle this antisocial behaviour?
Also to comment on the workings/agenda of the Regional Scrambler and Quad forum set up by SDCC.
REPLY:
On-going problems associated with scramblers and quads in some parts of the county is causing distress to residents, sporting clubs and the Council as their quality of life being is impacted negatively through extreme damage to community open spaces and playing facilities. The council is actively working with An Garda Síochána, community representatives and residents of various housing estates in relation to this issue.
Public Realm works have been initiated at 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 at existing and emerging problematic locations.
Some of the areas where boundary fencing has been requested include Killinarden Park, Butler McGee Park, Jobstown Park, Dodder Valley Park, Tymon Park (at the Basketball Arena), Bancroft Park, Glenshane Green and St Cuthbert's in Clondalkin. Each location is examined to determine the most appropriate level of boundary treatment which is required, and this determines the likely cost of implementing a solution at each location. This is then considered within the context of the existing budget provision.
The Council is cognisant that as requests for new and improved boundary treatments continue to be received, and as the list grows, the potential cost of both honouring commitments already given as well as responding positively to new requests received has the potential to escalate to a level where the current financial provision cannot meet what is required.
Following motions passed by this Council, a Taskforce has recently been established between the four Dublin Local Authorities, Department of Justice, Department of Transport, An Garda Síochána, Motor cross and the Road Safety Authority in relation to dealing with ongoing matters about the use, misuse and dangers of scramblers and quadbikes across Dublin City and County.
The first meeting of the taskforce took place on Thursday 21st June 2018 in County Hall, Tallaght and was very well attended. Focus for the Task Force include legislation and enforcement, and is considered timely given Justice Minister, Charlie Flanagan's recent announcement that he is set to consider additional legislation to tackle the anti-social misuse of scramblers and quad bikes.
The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for Thursday 13th September 2018.
No warning letters have been issued by the Council in respect of the use of quads as currently there is no legislative means of identifying who owns or uses scramblers.