Agenda and minutes

Order: Noted.

      i.        Minutes of the Traffic Advisory Group Meeting held on 24^th November 2020.

     ii.        Report on Strand Road Cycle Trial.

      i.        Minutes of the Traffic Advisory Group Meeting held on 24^th November 2020.

Order. Noted.

     ii.        Report on Strand Road Cycle Trial.

Order. Noted.

      i.        Report on removal of trees from Donnybrook Cemetery.

      i.        Report on removal of trees from Donnybrook Cemetery.

Order: Noted.

      i.        Report of the Director of Services, South City.

      i.        Report of the Director of Services, South City.

Order: Noted.

This Committee requests a report from the Manager on the suggestions outlined in the below regarding the upgrade and increased potential for Sandymount Strand and Promenade including the establishing of an inter-disciplinary working group to consider options for improvements.

Structure

• There are five sets of steps leading down from the Promenade to the beach.  There are a few metal handrails.  At one side of each flight of steps there is a sloping ramp, which descends on the same gradient as the steps.  The concrete of steps and ramps is mainly in poor condition.  But most seriously, there is no visual indication of when the descent changes from steps to slope.  In poor light, or for people not familiar with the area, this could be lethal.  The concrete is the same colour on ramp as on steps, and there are no marks indicating where the ramps begin.  Anyone stepping unwarily onto a ramp would tumble down to the beach, or possibly even onto the rocks at the side.  I would be amazed if this has not happened in the past.  It could lead to serious injury, and to liability of the Council’s part.
• Many years ago, the promenade was protected from the elements by the placing of thousands of tons of rocks on the seaward face.  I think this has done its job, but over the years some smaller rocks have become displaced onto the beach itself.  Many of these are partly buried in the sand, and constitute a hazard for unwary, elderly or poorly-sighted walkers on the beach.  Within the last week we came across a couple in distress—the man had tripped on a protruding rock, fallen and injured his face, and was bleeding profusely.

Management

• There are bye-laws affecting the Strand and Promenade, but they are not well presented or enforced.  The most blatant danger is caused by cyclists (adult) who use the Promenade, which is for pedestrians only, as a cycle route.  There are some faded inscriptions on the tarmac prohibiting cycling and skating, but they are few and far between, and they are not backed up by signage at the entrances to the Promenade.  Once again, the danger and general loss of amenity to walkers is serious.  Most cyclists, when challenged, flip the finger and pedal on.  The forthcoming development of the Strand Road Cycle Route will give such people a civilised alternative, but as we all know there are unfortunately those who don’t think in such terms.
• Dog fouling is a persistent problem on Promenade and Strand.  There is some signage, but in the absence of enforcement it is easily ignored by owners.
• Both illegal cycling and illegal dog fouling could be discouraged if there was an occasional warden presence, backed up by enforcement.
• The rocks on the edge of the beach are alive with rats.  I know this is not an easy problem to deal with, but could more effective deterrence be put in place?

There’s nothing new about  ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Motions

This Committee requests a report from the Manager on the suggestions outlined in the below regarding the upgrade and increased potential for Sandymount Strand and Promenade including the establishing of an inter-disciplinary working group to consider options for improvements.

Structure

• There are five sets of steps leading down from the Promenade to the beach.  There are a few metal handrails.  At one side of each flight of steps there is a sloping ramp, which descends on the same gradient as the steps.  The concrete of steps and ramps is mainly in poor condition.  But most seriously, there is no visual indication of when the descent changes from steps to slope.  In poor light, or for people not familiar with the area, this could be lethal.  The concrete is the same colour on ramp as on steps, and there are no marks indicating where the ramps begin.  Anyone stepping unwarily onto a ramp would tumble down to the beach, or possibly even onto the rocks at the side.  I would be amazed if this has not happened in the past.  It could lead to serious injury, and to liability of the Council’s part.
• Many years ago, the promenade was protected from the elements by the placing of thousands of tons of rocks on the seaward face.  I think this has done its job, but over the years some smaller rocks have become displaced onto the beach itself.  Many of these are partly buried in the sand, and constitute a hazard for unwary, elderly or poorly-sighted walkers on the beach.  Within the last week we came across a couple in distress—the man had tripped on a protruding rock, fallen and injured his face, and was bleeding profusely.

Management

• There are bye-laws affecting the Strand and Promenade, but they are not well presented or enforced.  The most blatant danger is caused by cyclists (adult) who use the Promenade, which is for pedestrians only, as a cycle route.  There are some faded inscriptions on the tarmac prohibiting cycling and skating, but they are few and far between, and they are not backed up by signage at the entrances to the Promenade.  Once again, the danger and general loss of amenity to walkers is serious.  Most cyclists, when challenged, flip the finger and pedal on.  The forthcoming development of the Strand Road Cycle Route will give such people a civilised alternative, but as we all know there are unfortunately those who don’t think in such terms.
• Dog fouling is a persistent problem on Promenade and Strand.  There is some signage, but in the absence of enforcement it is easily ignored by owners.
• Both illegal cycling and illegal dog fouling could be discouraged if there was an occasional warden presence, backed up by enforcement.
• The rocks on the edge of the beach are alive with rats.  I know this is not an easy problem to deal with, but could more effective deterrence be put in place?

There’s nothing new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Order: Noted