No vote on Carlow plan to ban quad bikes from areas

Carlow county councillors have failed to vote on proposals to ban quad bikes and other off-road vehicles from upland areas.

The proposal, seen as a possible template for other mountainous areas, foundered last week amid acrimonious scenes on the council and opposition from local farmers.

Although officially the issue has been referred back to the council's strategic policy committee, Green vice-president Mary White, who originally proposed the ban, admitted yesterday "it will never get passed now".

Ms White blamed "bizarre" behaviour by fellow councillors for the defeat of her proposal.

It had been expected that the council would vote for the ban, which was under consideration for over two years, and was claimed to have the support of farmers in the Blackstairs mountains. The proposal had the unanimous support of the strategic policy committee, and was the subject of extensive consultation and redrafting.

However, before the meeting, a group of 16 farmers from the Mount Leinster area issued a statement saying they had not been consulted. They said the proposed regulations were an infringement of privacy, and claimed the issue could better be dealt with by trespass laws.

Other councillors, including Labour Cathaoirleach Michael Meaney, spoke on their behalf and no vote was taken.

Ms White described the situation as "farcical", and predicted that the farmers would ultimately lose out on EU grants for not properly caring for their land.

"They have to keep the land in good environmental condition, but by allowing quads to use it this is not happening."

However, Mr Meaney welcomed the council's decision not to implement the ban, saying there was no demand from farmers for it, and no evidence that the upland areas were being damaged by off-road vehicles.

Walkers, environmentalists and other opponents of quads and scrambler motorbikes say they cause erosion, damage archaeological sites and frighten animals.

With other councils closely watching proceedings in Carlow, a vote in favour of a ban had been expected to lead to restrictions in other mountain areas. At present, only Louth County Council has introduced restrictions on such vehicles in upland areas.

Political rivalry between Mr Meaney and Ms White, who both represent Borris, has also been a factor in the dispute.