No plans for 'no E-Scooter' signs at Kildare amenity

AS if to stand by his promise of just two months ago when he declared “I’m not giving this up!” in his opposition to e-scooters on amenity footpaths, cllr Seamie Moore has reiterated his call at a recent Municipal District meeting in Naas.

“Can the council confirm if it plans to install ‘No E-Scooters’ signs on Naas amenity footpaths and Naas areas used by pedestrians where there is the availability of a public road?” he asked in this motion.

Two months before he actually sought a ban on the devices on the Naas-Sallins Greenway.

“People using this amenity shouldn’t be tormented by those using this as a silent Mondello … they’re driving everybody mad … and they are a silent danger to elderly and hard-of-hearing pedestrians”.

However, in his formal reply, Mark McLoughlin, senior executive officer in the transport, mobility and open spaces, kept his reply non-committal, though a bit more comforting than the outright ‘no’ of two months ago.

“The use of e-scooters is regulated in accordance with the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024,” he began.

“E-scooter users are required to obey the rules of the road, and familiarise themselves with relevant traffic laws and regulations, which includes a prohibition from using footpaths, pedestrianised areas or motorways,” he pointed out.

“However, improper or dangerous use of an e-scooter is a matter for An Garda Síochána,” he reminded Cllr Moore.

“The transport department have no plans to add additional signage, however, it may be appropriate to refer the matter to the Local Community Safety Partnership for discussion,” he reasoned, leaving the door open a chink.

“The council want the Greenway to be an ‘amenity’, but the law says it’s a ‘road’,” he stated in February.

“I have had some success, though, that e-scooters won’t be allowed in around the Lakes or in deBurgh’s (Demesne),” he revealed.

“It’s not open yet, and still requires a wooden bridge for access, and that hasn’t been decided where yet, but will happen when this Sallins-Naas Greenway opens, which is now in the final days of design,” he said.

“We’ll get it (the new bridge) then, and I’d expect it to be from one of the Locks,” he predicted.

“I am still looking at the canal as an amenity walk rather than a public road. 

"I do think there is another stage and effort to have this canal walk designated as an amenity route."