Dublin People - Call for rethink on Coal Harbour barrier

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Call for rethink on Coal Harbour barrier

Thursday, 22 May 2008

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has been urged to resolve a dispute with the fishing community over a new barrier that stops vehicles from parking on the quay at the Coal Harbour.
According to the company, a safety risk assessment carried out last year by a firm of independent consultants concluded that the arrangements in place regulating the movement of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic along the wharf was unsafe.
“To address these findings, and in consultation with the independent consultants, the harbour company drew up new measures to address the safety concerns identified in the report,” a spokesman for the State commercial firm said.
These measures involved the erection of a gate, pay and display car parking, a marked pedestrian walkway and restricted access for the fishermen’s vehicles and those making deliveries to the fish shop.
In addition, a padlock was placed on the gate and keys to it issued to all registered        fishermen and the fish shop management which gives them 24/7 access to the wharf.
However, customers to the fish shop have complained of the difficulties in accessing the outlet as the barrier prevents them from driving down the pier.
Fishermen have also complained that the barrier system is not working effectively and is hampering their daily routine.
Matt Rogerson and his family have run the fish shop on the Coal Harbour in Dún Laoghaire for the past 49 years.
He said the barrier was preventing local people, especially the elderly, from driving directly up to his business. He claims there has been a downturn in trade since the barrier was erected.
“There used to be a lot of old people in here,” he said. “They have to walk a couple of hundred yards because of the barrier and they only get 20 minutes to park. They gave us six parking berths at the other side of the gate but everyone else is parking in them.”
Cllr Gene Feighery (GP) said she had been approached by local fishermen who spoke of their concerns about the barrier which they described as “unworkable”.
“They found themselves locked inside the barrier when they returned from a fishing trip last week,” she said.
“When they called the local gardaí, they were told that this was not within their jurisdiction and that they needed to call the harbour police to unlock the barrier and let them out.
“The final straw came for fishermen during the week when the harbour police told them they could not park their lorries or vans with vital equipment and tools of their trade on the pier.”
According to Cllr Feighery, fishermen maintain that if there was an accident in the area, the emergency services would also be unable to access the pier and would have to run the length of the wharf to provide assistance.
Deputy Ciarán Cuffe (GP) said he would like to see an intercom installed at the barrier so customers can park closer to the shop.
Cllr Feighery added that she and Deputy Cuffe have written to the harbour company requesting that they sit down with all those affected to seek a resolution to the issue.
In a statement, the harbour company said several meetings were held to discuss the plans with fishermen and the fish shop management. They said a number of amendments were made to the plans as a result.
“Up to Thursday, May 14, no request from Cllr Feighery or Deputy Cuffe had been received by the harbour company to sit down with those affected,” the spokesperson said. “The harbour company has had several meetings           already with the fishing community and the fish shop management about the changes. In response to comments and suggestions made, a number of amendments were made to the proposed plans. The harbour company is available to meet again if requested.”
In response to the complaint that harbour police would not allow certain vehicles park inside the gate, the harbour company said this was because they were unrelated to fishing activity.
“With regard to emergency service access, the harbour         police are always contacted        by the emergency services when in the harbour and would be available at once to open the gate if required,” it was stated.

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