Sir, - May I suggest the redefining of the word "road" from its current meaning as "an open usually specially surfaced or paved way, for vehicles or animals to travel on from one place to another" as stated in the Chambers Pocket Dictionary to something a little more apt for modern living along the lines of: "any surface which drivers or pedestrians deem fit either to drive on or walk on".
I make this suggestion after months of observing the changing trends of drivers as regards where they drive. It would appear that South Dublin County Council has passed a law deeming cycle paths and grass verges officially part of the roadway. All around the localities of Terenure, Rathfarnham and Templeogue, grass verges are being destroyed by motorists who feel the road isn't quite wide enough for them. In some extreme examples healthy, vibrant grass verges have been transformed within days into mud patches, where not one blade of grass dares show itself.
I was lucky enough to witness one example recently on Cypress Grove Road as one motorist drove over one resident's sprouting daffodils in order to do a Uturn and go back the way he had just come. Such examples are rare but will become far more commonplace as the number of cars increases. Why don't we just rip up our greenery and be done with it? - Yours, etc.,
Simon Halpin Templeogue Bridge, Dublin 6W.