Carlow to debate quad bikes ban

Carlow county councillors are to consider once again today controversial proposals to ban quad bikes and other off-road vehicles from upland areas.

The proposals, seen as a possible template for other mountainous areas, have led to acrimonious rows on the council on three previous occasions.

The full council has been invited to attend today's meeting of the strategic policy committee, which drew up the proposals and approved them unanimously.

Committee chairman Cllr Declan Alcock of Fine Gael said yesterday he hoped "common sense will prevail and political differences are set aside". He admitted "this is a last throw of the dice" and said the council couldn't afford more inter-party bickering on the issue: "The last thing I want is the county council to look like Ballymagash."

Green Party vice-president Mary White proposed the ban, which has been under consideration for two years. It was claimed to have the support of farmers in the Blackstairs mountains.

However, earlier this year 16 farmers from the Mount Leinster area said the regulations were an infringement of privacy, and the issue could better be dealt with by trespass laws.

Opponents of quads and scrambler motorbikes say they cause erosion, damage archaeological sites and frighten animals.

To date only Louth County Council has introduced restrictions on off-road vehicles in upland areas.