COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

MOTION NO.2

MOTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

"This area committee notes the nuisance and danger that has been caused by scrambler bikes moving across the green area between the Westbourne and Lealand estates, and further that bollards between the estates have been vandalized and removed. As such this area committee agrees to build a low wall at the junctions of Westbourne Green and both Lealand Grove and Lealand Close that would prevent scrambler bikes from accessing the Green."

REPORT:

On the 16th February 2021, it was announced that the Minister for Transport will be introducing proposals to amend the forthcoming Road Traffic (Miscellaneous) Bill, aimed at tackling the antisocial use of scrambler bikes and other off road machines, such as Quads, in spaces such as Public Parks.

The legislation will introduce three specific measures:

• Use of a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle (MPV) will be prohibited on public or private land, except in cases where there is permission from the landowner. This proposed new offence will cover places such as parks, green areas, waste ground, beaches and others, while the use of vehicles on private lands (such as farms) will not be affected.
• An Garda Síochána will be given powers to detain a vehicle used in a location where permission from the landowner has not been received.
• An Garda Síochána will also be enabled, on foot of a warrant, to enter a private premises and remove a vehicle suspected of having been used contrary to the new offence.

While these proposed changes in legislation should assist to address the issue of unauthorised MPV on public open space, the following specific boundary treatment works will also be implemented at the locations indicated below.

The boundary to the open space at Lealand grove consists of a low wall 460-600mm high which extends around the end of the cul de sac. Access to the open space is available at each end of the wall. There is a wooden bollard on the footpath at the east end of the wall which reduces access to 1.4 metres. Access at the south end of the wall is 1.6 metres. There is evidence that a bollard existed at the south end of the wall but is no longer present. This bollard will be reinstated.

The boundary to the open space at Lealand Close consists of 3 wooden bollards over a 5-metre section of open space which is flanked by a path on both sides. The path widths are 1.8 and 1.5 metres. There is also a wooden bollard between the path leading to Westbourne and the boundary wall of the adjacent property. There are a number of bollards missing from the open space as result of vandalism. The remaining 3 bollards will be removed and a full line of bollards will be installed in a secure manner.