Locals furious over learner drivers

RESIDENTS in local housing estates are fed up with learner drivers clogging up roads with an incredible 68 driving instructors giving lessons through Willow Park and Pinewood in Dublin 11.

Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor, Cathleen Carney Boud, says she’s made representations to officials on behalf of residents from the estates and is calling for a compound site to be used instead of local roads.

“Residents have raised concerns that the use of their estates as part of the driving test routes has been ongoing for the last 20 years and the numbers of learner drivers practising and being tested there have increased to the point where it is now a constant nuisance to the residents, particularly the elderly,” she said.

“The estates are being used for motorbike, car and tow-truck learners. Residents’ cars have been damaged, vehicles are mounting paths and there have been occasions when learner drivers have been verbally abusive to frustrated residents.”

According to figures obtained by Cllr Carney Boud, 68 registered approved driving instructors use Pinewood and Willow Park Estates because it’s on the local test route. Cllr Carney Boud says the statistics also show an average of 12 driving tests taking place per day.

“I have suggested that a compound site be allocated by the office of public works which would certainly help to alleviate the problem and I call on the OPW to prioritise this request as a matter of urgency in the interest of safety,” she added.