There is concern about the danger posed by the unauthorised use of scramblers, quads and other off-road vehicles on land owned by the local district council.
Announcing plans to tackle the problem, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said it poses a risk to both the riders and members of the public who happen to be in the vicinity. The council said it would work with other agencies and added the focus would be on “prevention, education and enforcement”.
A statement added: “The use of off-road vehicles is not permitted on pavements, public roads and spaces and they can only be used on private land with permission of the owner.
“Particular concern has been expressed about off-road vehicles on council land in Newry and Downpatrick, with the issue regularly discussed at meetings of the District Electoral Area (DEA) Forums and the Newry, Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP).
“More adults are using scramblers, with so-called e-scooters common among young people, with community concern prompting the Council to engage with other councils to learn how they are tackling what is a province-wide problem, with the discussions helping formulate a way forward locally.”
Officials of the district council are planning to hold a meeting that will focus on ‘hotspot’ areas where scramblers and quads are a particular problem, and it is planned to agree a district-wide approach to the issue.
This will include an awareness campaign “for off-road vehicle users to understand the legality or risk involved in using them and to inform residents how to report incidents correctly”, the council statement continued.
“Council officials are to engage with the Youth Service and others to develop educational workshops and diversionary activities in hotspot areas, with community groups encouraged to develop their own localised solutions for community safety/antisocial behaviour problems, with support available via the PCSP’s small grants scheme.
“This scheme is currently open to applications which close at noon on 15 June 2026.
“Further information is available at Residents – Grant Funding – NMDDC or by contacting the PCSP office at pcsp@nmandd.org.”
Speaking about the issue last week, the then council chairperson, Cllr Philip Campbell, outlined why the local authority is so concerned.
“It’s important the issue of unauthorised off-road vehicles using council land is addressed given the danger it poses to those who ride these machines and the public,” he stated.
“A partnership approach is needed to address an issue which not only poses a threat to public safety but impacts on the environment.
“Prevention, education and enforcement is the best approach to ensure council land is safe for everyone who uses it.”
