Oil and dirt on streets of Dublin City Centre — which there was a reported spike of in recent weeks — has started to be cleaned up by Dublin City Council after the issue was highlighted by the Dublin Cycling Campaign.
“In late January, Dublin Cycling Campaign gathered data on over 120 slips and falls across Dublin and submitted them to the council. In the last three days, a further 80 slips and falls have been logged,” the campaign said.
It added: “While many of the victims escaped with only minor injuries, some have reported fractures and other serious injuries – broken collar bone, dislocated jaw, fractured femur; several people needed stitches and have had to take time off work; a number have required surgery.”
While the council did not reply to questions from this website last week, the Dublin Cycling Campaign said that it was told by the council that it expect the inspections and cleaning works to be completed on Tuesday 4th February 2020.
The campaign said that Dublin City Council said that “there was evidence to suggest that the oil spillage related to construction activity from an adjacent construction site. The affected road was treated and a ‘Notice of Offence’ under Section 13(10) of the Road Act, 1993 was served on the contractor responsible for these works.”
Kevin Baker, Chairperson of Dublin Cycling Campaign, said: “We welcome the swift action that Dublin City Council has taken to investigate the dangerous areas that we highlighted. The data we gathered enabled the Council to act. and we’re relieved to see these hazardous road surfaces receiving the attention they deserve.”
“Construction contractors have been put on notice by Dublin City Council’s enforcement action. Any construction contractors who are currently negligent need to literally clean up their act before any more people cycling are injured,” said Baker.
Louise Williams, Vice-Chairperson of Dublin Cycling Campaign, said: Keeping the roads clean of oil and grease is vital for people cycling. These slips and falls have injured many people. Some of these injuries have been serious, requiring hospital visits and surgery. We’re still very worried.”
LINKS: Interactive map of falls and form to report slips.
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