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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Dan Grennan

'Extra patrols' set to tackle parking clamps being cut with power tools

Extra patrols are expected to be implemented to tackle the scourge of power tools being used to remove parking clamps.

A Dublin City Council report found the introduction of on the spot fines for illegal parking has helped ease the issue.

The Castleforbes Road near the 3Area had the highest number of code blacks - the term used by the Council to describe clamps being illegally removed - with 43 reported on the street last year.

There were similar issues on Mount Street Upper and Sheriff Street Upper.

Last June, DCC introduced on the spot fines to tackle parking on footpaths and other traffic issues. So far, 1,129 of them have been issued with parking on footpaths accounting for 45% of them.

Chair of DCC'S Transport Special Policy Committee Councillor Christy Burke told Dublin Live the Council expects extra patrols to tackle the issue which forces vulnerable pedestrians onto the road.

He said: "There is a lot of trouble of parking on paths - jeeps, 4x4s, cars you name it - from construction sites. We have people who are visually impaired. We have people with disabilities in wheelchairs. We have mammy or daddy pushing the pram and they have to go out on the road."

"We have school children who have to leave the pathway and go out onto the road which I witnessed myself last week in East Wall."

Cllr Burke added that power tools are being used but added that traffic wardens may be introduced to tackle traffic issues.

He said: "At the end of the day, one of the main reasons with the code black is that most of the clamps are being cut off with angle irons. When the officials get back, they just find the clamp on the ground or the clamp is gone. So, you have no evidence to prosecute."

"The City Council also expect to upgrade and put in place extra patrols and I have a debate now myself for the traffic wardens to be brought back in - two on the south and two on the north side - on a pilot scheme to see how effective it is.

"That has the backing of Minister Eamon Ryan who told me the traffic wardens is the way to go forward."

The report will come up at the Transport Strategic Policy Committee and the members will debate it.

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