COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

There are currently two kissing gates to restrict scrambler bikes from accessing Knockmitten Park from Monastery Gate Close. There are however none to prevent scramblers accessing Knockmitten Park from Monastery Gate Villas via the footpath that is located at the rear of the IBIS Hotel Car Park and Mount Talbot apartment block. Recently, scramblers have used this footpath to ride at high speed between Monastery Gate and Knockmitten Park. Local residents have asked me why a kissing gate has never been installed on the footpath? There are currently boulders there. The residents appreciate that kissing gates are losing favour given their restrictive nature, but wonder if there is an inconsistency between kissing gates blocking access from Monastery Gate Close and not blocking access from Monastery Gate Villas?

REPLY:

A kissing gate was never installed at this location as no reports have been received to date of scrambler issues.  The kissing gates at Monastery Gate Close were provided under the 2019 Public Realm Improvement Works Programme following representation on behalf of residents to address a scrambler issue which was present at the time.  A review of the path at the rear of the IBIS Hotel Car Park and Mount Talbot apartment block will be carried out and if considered necessary, vehicle restrictive measure will be listed for consideration in the draft Public Realm Improvement Works Programme 2023.