News

Question: Councillor D. Smith
“To ask the Chief Executive can the gate at the end of Rivervalley View into the
Ward Rivervalley Park be locked at night and opened in the morning similar to
the arrangement for the gate at Highfields?”

Reply:
It is the experience of the Operations Department that locking parks does not
prevent issues of vandalism or anti-social behaviour, but simply prevents the
Gardai or emergency services from quickly accessing or patrolling the park after
dark. The Ward River Valley Park is quite porous along its boundaries, and this
defeats the purpose of locking gates at night-time. The gate at Highfields is
located on a pedestrian walkway, not to a park, and there are no proposals to
lock the gate at Rivervalley View at this time.

Question: Councillor D. Smith“To ask the Chief Executive for the paths and road on the Brackenstown Road
from the Murrough Road junction to the intersection with Church Road be sprayed for weeds?”

Reply:
This work has been carried out and completed.

Question: Councillor D. Smith
“To ask the Chief Executive for an update on when works will take place to improve the turning point on North St. Little, which links North St. to Seatown Villas following on from a site visit earlier in 2017”

Reply:
The works referred to in the question are due to be carried out in Q4 2017.

Motion: Councillor D. Smith
“That this committee agrees to examine the provision of scheme to provide extra
car parking spaces in estates in the Balbriggan/Swords area which have chronic
parking problems?”

Report:
The provision of car parking spaces in estates is considered as part of the
planning application process and has regard to development plan guidelines.
Any changes to existing estates would impact on dedicated public open space
and would require a public consultation and planning process to be entered into.
This issue is not unique to the Balbriggan/Swords area, but impacts countywide,
and as such, would need to be considered on a full county basis, with all relevant
stakeholders.

Question: Councillor D. Smith

“To ask the Chief Executive what criteria do residents in the Balbriggan/Swords
area need to adhere to in order to allow them to erect mirrors at their entrance
gates where visibility on exiting their properties is obscured?”

Reply:
It is the Operation Department’s position that a roadside mirror is not an
acceptable control measure to deal with any residual deficiency in visibility as
their use presents more disadvantages (and risk to road-users) than their
benefits. The rationale for this position is detailed below.
• Mirrors are largely ineffective during bad weather (rain, fog, snow, frost;
early-morning dew/condensation) when the visibility requirement is at its
highest;
• Mirrors may not adequately highlight the presence of approaching
pedestrians or cyclists particularly during night-time hours and where
such road-users are themselves poorly illuminated (e.g. pedestrians
wearing dark clothing, absence of bicycle lights which unfortunately is
quite common);
• Mirrors are prone to vandalism and if not installed correctly may be
damaged by (and present a hazard to) passing vehicles or road-users;
• Mirrors require regular maintenance (cleaning realignment/correction to
ensure that the correct aspect/view is available) and safety/liability issues
are associated with the undertaking of such works on the public road by
private individuals.
• Convex mirrors distort the reflected image and many road-users
(particularly the elderly) are unable to judge the speed of approaching
traffic from the mirror’s image.
• Mirrors can create glare/distraction to other users of the public road,
arising from sunlight (particularly during low winter sun) and vehicle
headlights.

https://duncansmith.ie/1213-2/

Question: Councillor D. Smith
“To ask the Chief Executive if any solutions for the parking problems at the Elms
in Ridgewood have been reached and if so when will they be implemented?”

Reply:
Consideration is being given to the provision of additional parking adjacent to
the playing field at this location.