Grand Canal Cycle Path - Be Careful

dhaughton99 · 26-04-2019 9:39pm

Anyone listen to liveline today about the trouble along the ninth lock to bluebell?

ED E · 26-04-2019 10:05pm

Same story as posted above basically.

nomdeboardie · 26-04-2019 10:14pm

dhaughton99 wrote: »

Anyone listen to liveline today about the trouble along the ninth lock to bluebell?

I randomly caught a bit of that on the radio this afternoon then (half-)listened online (segment linked on this page https://www.rte.ie/radio1/liveline/#103099093 ). People phoning in other incidents also. Utter scumbags indeed - they're "why we can't have nice things", one way or another...

tnegun · 26-04-2019 11:20pm

I've cycled that section regularly over the past 2 years commuting, I've had a couple of close calls with the natives too. I just greet them with a smile and a howya lads if needed and that usually works but once schools are out and we get good weather like last week all bets are off and any later than 6.30-7pm I stick to the roads.

dhaughton99 · 26-04-2019 11:48pm

tnegun wrote: »

I've cycled that section regularly over the past 2 years commuting, I've had a couple of close calls with the natives too. I just greet them with a smile and a howya lads if needed and that usually works but once schools are out and we get good weather like last week all bets are off and any later than 6.30-7pm I stick to the roads.

Same here. I’d rather take my chances with the Naas rd traffic rather than getting a kicking or bike robbed.

LennoxR · 26-04-2019 11:58pm

I rode it last bank holiday Monday (as far as Sallins actually, which is challenging enough with the rough off road sections, but I digress!).

I had no issues to be honest, I suppose it was too early for the anti-social element to be out. It's such a shame that people are now scared to use it, as it's a great amenity, and now that they've remodelled many of the gates so you can cycle through them it's even better. Really (as I've said before) it's not good enough for the Gardai not to tackle this issue and to fob people off.

tnegun · 27-04-2019 12:16am

Ive called the guards several times re the kids on scrambler bikes and they'll openly tell you there is nothing they can do but send a car up at some stage to have a look but can't engage them. no point in even trying to explain a car can't get close they drive don't care. I just keep m head down and go for it but there's no denying it's risky

ED E · 27-04-2019 12:19am

Dublin has a few dozen RPU bikes that I know of. They're under Dublin Castle not a local station though local supers can direct them if needed. All it would really take is for WI to give them all keys and have them run up and down both canals intermittently and frequently during school holidays. The cameras operated by the councils can feed them info too if a chain of communication were setup.

LennoxR · 27-04-2019 10:24am

tnegun wrote: »

Ive called the guards several times re the kids on scrambler bikes and they'll openly tell you there is nothing they can do but send a car up at some stage to have a look but can't engage them. no point in even trying to explain a car can't get close they drive don't care. I just keep m head down and go for it but there's no denying it's risky

See, this is what I don't understand. It's illegal to drive scrambler bikes on the canal path. The kids riding them are probably not old enough to be allowed to drive them and (I'm guessing here) they probably do not have licences. So why is there nothing the Guards can do? They are, as far as I'm aware, entitled to stop them, ask for licences and if they do not have them, to seize the bikes.

Similarly, if gangs of youths are assaulting people regularly at the same points, why can the Guards not mount patrols on bikes or motorbikes there? Really it's not good enough.

tnegun · 27-04-2019 11:05am

Just on the CCTV I reported dumping while it was taking place to the council and highlighted it was taking place right in front of a camera if they wanted to catch the offenders their response was bring my information to the litter warden :mad:

With the scramblers the guard(s) said they're under instruction not to pursue or engage them so can only drive past. I've given up to be honest and don't report either any more as it just makes me more vulnerable stopping to do it.

cletus · 27-04-2019 11:09am

LennoxR wrote: »

See, this is what I don't understand. It's illegal to drive scrambler bikes on the canal path. The kids riding them are probably not old enough to be allowed to drive them and (I'm guessing here) they probably do not have licences. So why is there nothing the Guards can do? They are, as far as I'm aware, entitled to stop them, ask for licences and if they do not have them, to seize the bikes.

Similarly, if gangs of youths are assaulting people regularly at the same points, why can the Guards not mount patrols on bikes or motorbikes there? Really it's not good enough.

I'd guess that what the Garda meant was that if they go up there, the boys will scatter, chances of catching them is slim, and they'll probably just treat it like getting a chase

ED E · 27-04-2019 1:34pm

They don't chase them at all. The UK cops used to do the same but have changed their tune.

A 16 yo with no helmet has a high chance of killing himself in a pursuit. This is treated as too much of a liability to engage in it at all.

coward · 27-04-2019 2:17pm

There was an article in the local paper about scramblers. It opened with this line:

Laws giving the gardai power to seize quads and scramblers being ridden dangerously and terrorising communities are being considered.

We don't already have a law or two to do this already?

It went on to quote Deputy Lahart:

Existing road traffic legislation does not apply to green spaces, housing estates or public parks, which are the very places where these vehicles are most commonly used and causing hassle.

So maybe you can do what you like with a vehicle on the greenways, at least until they come up with a bill, etc. which the article finishes by saying the first stage of this bill went unopposed by the government.

To me, just feels like nobody in authority is willing to get tough on this. Increasing the maximum fine to €5,000, as they are proposing, means nothing to these kids or parents.

Full article is here: https://dublingazette.com/news/scrambler-quad-32452/

LeChienMefiant · 20-08-2019 3:01pm

I've recently purchased a Babboe City Cargo Bike and would like to take the kids out for a spin on the weekend starting from Ballsbridge side of Ranelagh. How far will we get before we hit the undead? Is there a better option for a quiet off road/segregated ride? We'll probably head off early (~8am) if it means a quiet life.

mloc123 · 20-08-2019 3:29pm

LeChienMefiant wrote: »

I've recently purchased a Babboe City Cargo Bike and would like to take the kids out for a spin on the weekend starting from Ballsbridge side of Ranelagh. How far will we get before we hit the undead? Is there a better option for a quiet off road/segregated ride? We'll probably head off early (~8am) if it means a quiet life.

The gates will be a bigger issue than the scumbags, I am not sure you will get through at Inchicore on a cargo bike

LeChienMefiant · 20-08-2019 3:30pm

That's probably fine, the young fellas are not going to last more than half hour each way I think.

mloc123 · 20-08-2019 3:31pm

LeChienMefiant wrote: »

That's probably fine, the young fellas are not going to last more than half hour each way I think.

In that case you will be fine. The bad spots are... around Bluebell, around Park West and between Clondalkin and Grange Castle

coward · 26-08-2019 6:54pm

The 4th and 5th car to be left at this spot near the 11th lock in under two weeks.

Usually confined to the fields on the other side of the canal - away from houses and people. Worrying to see them so active on this side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RQAmv5h4sg

LeChienMefiant · 26-08-2019 7:46pm

It's so sad looking at the quality of that surface, an amenity the rest of the country would be envious of. Ruined by scrotes. I'm not in any rush out to experience that.

elric · 26-08-2019 11:48pm

This was posted in the Dublin Fire Brigade thread in Motors:

Edit: it looks like it's the second car in coward's video.

joujoujou wrote: »

https://twitter.com/DubFireBrigade/status/1166089048739524610

LollipopJimmy · 27-08-2019 10:13am

That car was set on fire last night, it was on the DFB twitter page

silverharp · 27-08-2019 10:19am

up as far as Park West has been fine all summer in fairness , the local kids seem to be more interested in diving in the canal rather than hassling cyclists

irlirishkev · 27-08-2019 2:43pm

coward wrote: »

The 4th and 5th car to be left at this spot near the 11th lock in under two weeks.

Usually confined to the fields on the other side of the canal - away from houses and people. Worrying to see them so active on this side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RQAmv5h4sg

Also, smashed up gates (which now have concrete bollards placed in front), overturned bins, and glass/debris all over the ground.
It's very sad. Such a nice morning cycle on that route otherwise.

But yeah, lets put in kissing gates. That'll fix everything.

tnegun · 02-09-2019 8:23am

What can actually be done about the antisocal behavior here? More gates smashed this morning and a car still burning on the towpath at the 11th lock at 7.30m. I've contacted the guards and they've fobbed me off to waterways to secure it e.g. close all the gates. I've contacted the ministers office with no reply what next?

coward · 02-09-2019 8:32am

tnegun wrote: »

More gates smashed this morning and a car still burning on the towpath at the 11th lock at 7.30m.

I don't know what to think or say. The 11th lock has deteriorated rapidly over the past year.

tnegun · 02-09-2019 6:09pm

The scrotes were burning out the CCTV poles on the way home. I've emailed the Mayor of SDCC's office to see what action if any they can take.

dhaughton99 · 02-09-2019 6:36pm

tnegun wrote: »

The scrotes were burning out the CCTV poles on the way home. I've emailed the Mayor of SDCC's office to see what action if any they can take.

The estates beside there have been **** holes for years. The carry-on is being moved from the park up the road because of the complaints and they are just moving to the canal.

mloc123 · 02-09-2019 7:51pm

The last time I passed the 11th lock area (back in March) it was like a zombie apocalypse... I find the R134 a much better option.

rubadub · 02-09-2019 8:17pm

LennoxR wrote: »

I had no issues to be honest, I suppose it was too early for the anti-social element to be out.

Do you have the look of somebody "not to be messed with"? I think that can be a big factor. I remember going through a stage of every young scumbag asking me for smokes so would actually ask in advance, look them dead in the eye, "have ye got a smmmmmooooke?", and just a general air of confidence, or having the look of being a nutjob not to be messed with.

niallo32 · 02-09-2019 8:41pm

coward wrote: »

I don't know what to think or say. The 11th lock has deteriorated rapidly over the past year.

I think the main issue is they've made a wide paved path from the back of Lindisfarne (Council estate) onto the tow path - before there was only the gate a kissing gate a little further up

LennoxR · 02-09-2019 10:54pm

rubadub wrote: »

Do you have the look of somebody "not to be messed with"? I think that can be a big factor. I remember going through a stage of every young scumbag asking me for smokes so would actually ask in advance, look them dead in the eye, "have ye got a smmmmmooooke?", and just a general air of confidence, or having the look of being a nutjob not to be messed with.

Jeez I don't think so. Just lucky that day I think.

I'm sad to see it's deteriorated this much though. It looks like it's got really bad now.

tnegun · 06-09-2019 8:21am

No response from the SDCC mayor or even acknowledgement of my email so I emailed every Clondalkin elected councillor last night and got one acknowledgement at 3am! so hopefully one will take action.

A word of warning to anyone cycling today a manhole cover was removed near the 11th lock last night and was left open. I think they were attempting to burnout the cabling for all the CCTV towers as they have destroyed 2 in the last 72 hours.

mloc123 · 06-09-2019 11:09am

I don't know why that section has gone downhill so much in the last 6 months...

poochiem · 06-09-2019 11:35am

mloc123 wrote: »

I don't know why that section has gone downhill so much in the last 6 months...

What's happened that it's gone so bad? I brought friends down there a year ago to show them both canals and Griffeen Park out to Maynooth but wouldn't encourage anyone to go that way now. I've not been out the Grand since then as have moved house and it's not so convenient.

mloc123 · 06-09-2019 11:55am

I wonder if it is linked to the works that took place at Adamstown. Up until then I cycled it every couple of weeks, and although it was a bit of a **** hole it felt fine, no burnt out cars and gates that had been smashed through. That section was then partially closed off due to the works, after it opened again it seems to have gone downhill. I have not used it since March (ran home from town) and that section was my fastest two km splits.

tnegun · 06-09-2019 12:29pm

I've gotten a few responses back now and been put in touch with the community policing team so lets see what happens.

Apparently there has been a crack down on drug dealing in some of the estates and this may be an attempt to create a new safe zone by destroying the CCTV. The joy riding seems to be an escalation of the scramblers that went unchecked for the past few months.

This was the turning point I remember https://www.thesun.ie/news/2650179/stabbing-clondalkin-gardai-arrest-four/ as after this the crowd that hung around the 9th shifted to the 11th and attracted more with them and the area disintegrated further. The 9th is more public/visible so that may have kept behavior in check rather than the more isolated 11th.

irlirishkev · 06-09-2019 1:16pm

It's a mess. between Clondalkin and Grange Castle, it's just littered with broken glass, bits of smashed up cars/engines. The bins have been knocked over and are overflowing. Burn marks all over the place, from bonfires, burnt out cars, lamp-poles broken open and burnt out. Gates smashed to bits, hedgerow destroyed..
Wtf is wrong with people.. Poor wildlife as well, who have more intelligence than the subhumans who are responsible.

I haven't cycled home that way in a long time. Mornings are quiet. You still have people walking their dogs etc.

Nika Bolokov · 06-09-2019 1:28pm

The mess is gradually being moved up from Bluebell I think.

The odd morning you see a private security company moving up the canal path down there keeping an eye on things, further up there is nothing.

Mainly though the posters who called out the Lindisfarne estate are right along with probably the Kilmahuddrick estate. Absolute holes since the day they were built over 30 years ago beside the canal.

The latest generation of scum bags seem to have taken to bringing out cars and acting up on the canal as the areas around those estates they would have used in the past become business parks with security and busier with the enhanced road network.

Emailed the local politicians myself , including a former Olympic boxer , none appear to have done anything, was also reffered to waterways Ireland.

cullenswood · 06-09-2019 1:34pm

Is it safe to run this way early in the mornings (say 6:45 to 7:15 ish?)

Used to run that way last year and it was always fine, was going to start again in a few weeks but now having doubts.

Nika Bolokov · 06-09-2019 1:37pm

cullenswood wrote: »

Is it safe to run this way early in the mornings (say 6:45 to 7:15 ish?)

Used to run that way last year and it was always fine, was going to start again in a few weeks but now having doubts.

Should be at that time. It's not that you are guaranteed trouble it's more there can be a lot of debris around in the mornings.

Prefect_1998 · 06-09-2019 1:52pm

I have started getting back into cycling and use the canal from grangecastle to suir road .

It is a filty , rat infested disgrace. Below is a list of things i have seen over the summer from grangecastle to inchicore

Open drug dealing / taking.
Being faced with a scramber doing wheely towards me
Family drinking cans with very young kids sitting with them, all pissed.
Some guy masterbating.
Glass everywhere
Burnt out bins / bins on fire.

Town is a pleasure compared to the rest further out.

I have contaced several local reps about this, nothing back.

Dont know if it can ever be sorted out

tnegun · 06-09-2019 1:54pm

That Private Security Company seem to just empty the bins at least that's all I've ever seen them doing they are out far to early for the scrotes. Another co were out today and yesterday pulling cables so am cautiously hopeful they are replacing CCTV cabling.

tnegun · 06-09-2019 1:56pm

cullenswood wrote: »

Is it safe to run this way early in the mornings (say 6:45 to 7:15 ish?)

Used to run that way last year and it was always fine, was going to start again in a few weeks but now having doubts.

It will be fine, I cycle it daily sometime between 07.30 and 08.30 it's only later the problems start.

irlirishkev · 06-09-2019 1:59pm

danielle_door wrote: »

I have started getting back into cycling and use the canal from grangecastle to suir road .

It is a filty , rat infested disgrace. Below is a list of things i have seen over the summer from grangecastle to inchicore

Open drug dealing / taking.
Being faced with a scramber doing wheely towards me
Family drinking cans with very young kids sitting with them, all pissed.
Some guy masterbating.
Glass everywhere
Burnt out bins / bins on fire.

Town is a pleasure compared to the rest further out.

I have contaced several local reps about this, nothing back.

Dont know if it can ever be sorted out

All of the above is why I avoid in the afternoons/evenings now.
Mornings in my experience (8.20 - 8.40ish) are fine, in the last few months anyway.
You might still see the odd rat, but they're the least of your worries!

Nika Bolokov · 06-09-2019 2:01pm

danielle_door wrote: »

I have started getting back into cycling and use the canal from grangecastle to suir road .

It is a filty , rat infested disgrace. Below is a list of things i have seen over the summer from grangecastle to inchicore

Open drug dealing / taking.
Being faced with a scramber doing wheely towards me
Family drinking cans with very young kids sitting with them, all pissed.
Some guy masterbating.
Glass everywhere
Burnt out bins / bins on fire.

Town is a pleasure compared to the rest further out.

I have contaced several local reps about this, nothing back.

Dont know if it can ever be sorted out

To that list I would add horses , the burning of tyres at Ballyfermot and a drunken fisherman

Prefect_1998 · 06-09-2019 2:47pm

Nika Bolokov wrote: »

To that list I would add horses , the burning of tyres at Ballyfermot and a drunken fisherman

Ah yes the horses, i was cycing to grangecastle and some lads pulled a rope up in front of me tied to a horse, sorry boss the horse bolted as they had a laugh.

Me cycling has taken a car off the m50 but with this **** going on a car crash seems to have less odd then an invident on the canal.

Shane ross should be made do this a few times , maybe

I have cycled the royal canal a bit and there is no stretch as bad as grangecastle to inchicore

Prefect_1998 · 06-09-2019 2:50pm

irlirishkev wrote: »

All of the above is why I avoid in the afternoons/evenings now.
Mornings in my experience (8.20 - 8.40ish) are fine, in the last few months anyway.
You might still see the odd rat, but they're the least of your worries!

I was not refering to the rodents, more like the locals ruining this great amenity.

niallo32 · 06-09-2019 3:02pm

tnegun wrote: »

It will be fine, I cycle it daily sometime between 07.30 and 08.30 it's only later the problems start.

I run it regularly including mid-morning today and it was fine. The scumbags generally keep to themselves (3 sitting on the 11th Lough this morning).

They've also put a concrete barrier in front of the new access road into Lindisfarne and reinforced the kissing gates into Bawnogue further up.

LennoxR · 07-09-2019 8:49am

Nothing to add except that it's really sad to see such a nice amenity destroyed like this. I suppose it's a mirror into the anti-social behaviour that's rife in some parts of the city.

monument · 07-09-2019 5:32pm

coward wrote: »

I don't know what to think or say. The 11th lock has deteriorated rapidly over the past year.

That's clearly done by a cyclist fed up with the gates.

Grand Canal Cycle Path - Be Careful

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