Businesses concerned walkway is a magnet for anti-social behaviour
LOCAL business owners are concerned that a proposed walkway along the Whitestown Stream, linking Killinarden Park and Sean Walsh Park, could become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
The proposed walkway is to be located at the portion of the Whitestown Stream that bisects Tallaght Business Park and South City Business Park, as part of the plans for the upgrade of Killinarden Park.
At last week’s meeting of South Dublin County Council, Independent councillor and local business owner Ronan McMahon said he had been contacted by business owners from the South City Business Park about the walkway.
Cllr McMahon told The Echo: “I don’t think business owners should be ignored. Barriers should be put up [as part of the walkway] to stop people getting over the wall and having easy access to the business’ premises.
“If it’s opened up, it will mean easy access to the businesses – that’s what they’re worried about.”
Peter Byrne, CEO of South Dublin Chamber, said a number of business owners from the two business parks have expressed concerns about the walkway, but they welcome the overall upgrade to the park.
“All of our members [from those business parks] have said the upgrade to Killinarden Park is extremely welcomed,” he explained, “and the piece we’re talking about is just a small part of it.
“The concerns expressed by the business owners is, if you put a linear park between two business parks, it could become a haven of anti-social behaviour.
“Do the guards and South Dublin County Council have the resources to ensure this won’t happen?”
The local business owners have been told that there will be CCTV installed in the walkway, alongside other measures to deter anti-social behaviour, according to Mr Byrne, which has assuaged some of their concerns.
However, he said the business owners will be interested to see how work on the main park develops, and if issues with anti-social behaviour there can be kept at bay before work on the proposed walkway commences. The council hopes to commence work on the park upgrade, which will be carried out on a phased basis, by the end of this year.
A council spokesperson was contacted for comment, but a response wasn’t received in time for print.
