COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

That a gate or barrier is installed at each of the pedestrian entries to Scholarstown Wood from Scholarstown Road after a number of near misses involving children from the estate running on to the main road.

REPORT:

I note the picture uploaded with this motion.  There are 2no. access openings close to a Bus Stop and pedestrian crossing location.  The NTA published a recent circular on access openings from paths onto public roads.  I attach this circular for your information.  This circular stresses the importance of universal access for vulnerable users.  Therefore, kissing gates and gates generally should be avoided at access locations as they restrict wheelchair and child buggy usage.

However, I will look at a baffle wall or fence arrangement which prevents a direct run onto the public road by a child. Stocking Wood is still a private estate.  I will have to persuade the developer to install this measure I have described.

SDCC cannot eliminate all risk, and there is still a need for adequate supervision of young children and education of older ones on safe behaviour at crossings and along public roads.