COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 11, 2021

QUESTION NO.1

QUESTION: Councillor Carly Bailey

To ask the Chief Executive for an update and timeline in relation to alternative solutions for kissing gates currently installed in our public parks. SDCC have committed to moving away from this model (which does not act to prevent scramblers from entering our parks) towards an equality-led model, one that ensures that all park users will be able to gain access to our public parks, including cyclists, including heavier e-bikes and cargo bikes, wheelchair and powerchair users, mobility aid users and people with buggies.

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council is committed to providing universal access for all to it's parks and amenities and in most of the facilities in the County this is the case.  There are a number of locations where this open access has been abused by a very small minority operating scrambler motorbikes and quad bikes in parks in contravention of the Park Bye Laws for the County.  In relation to a number of locations where this activity has been prevalent local residents and elected members have asked that the Council take action to deter this behaviour, and this led to the installation of some kissing gates at Dodder Valley Park earlier this year. 

The Council's Public Realm Section has been examining this matter with regard to the possible provision of a gate which could provide open access for the most part, but which could be altered to act as a kissing gate when the need arises.  A number of options are being considered in this regard and it is expected that one of these will be installed on a trial basis early in 2021.