Taking the piss!!

[adagio]

Was in Glendo climbing yesterday... and as usual the time flies when fun is being had.  
We parked in the visitors c.park as we knew we may run late (and we're too cheap to pay for parking).
We passed through the 'pay - c.park' @ 18:10 and they guy who had been standing there all day freezing his ass off was patiently waiting for some guys to return to collect their cars. The cars belonged to a group  of boulderers and a group who were slack-lining. When we passed these guys, one group bouldering beside the ruins and the others in the forest where the mini landslide occurred, they were showing no sign of moving.
Recently many contributed to increasing the C.Park winter opening hours to 6pm to gain full use of the daylight.
But if people continue to take the piss I can see the security firm reverting back to 4pm (I think this was the original closing time).
I would not blame him in the future if he closed the barrier @ 6pm sharp.
Sorry for the venting - just felt pissed-off for the guy.    

[Ming]

I was with the people you mentioned who were bouldering and slacklining in the miners village/forest walk. We were staying at the IMC hut and we walked back up the hill through the forest path - sans car - so maybe you should point the finger at the less gymnastic, pointy-stick wielding, gaiter wearing crowd instead! Its more likely that a bunch of walkers mistimed or got delayed exploring the hills.

[Sean M]

The last car left the carpark at 5:58pm exactly (which you are correct was full of boulderers), the 2nd last car which left at 5:55pm was full of walkers (and not slackliners - apology required I think!).

Considering everybody in the carpark pays €4 for the service to be provided until 6pm, I don't see why you should have a problem.  Do you think a bank/shop/climbing wall should close 10 minutes early just because its employees are bored??

The aforementioned "guy freezing his ass off" was doing so in a nice shiny 4x4 (pretty sweet deal considering all he has to do is stop people from tale-gating other cars in to the carpark and closing the gates at 6pm - not 5:50pm).

You should be more pissed off that everybody paid €4 at the weekend only to find 100 metres down the track that the path is closed and barricaded by a tree.  I didn't see any notices up at the entrance to the carpark to warn people of the inconvenience???

And finally - considering it was still bright when we were leaving the boulders and we don't exactly take our time walking back to the carpark, it wouldn't be unreasonable to request that the opening hours be extended till 6:30/7pm to compensate for the improved daylight hours (especially after the last few weeks).

On a side note: I didn't see our disgruntled employee (or was that him IN the car??) on January 3rd when a car was doing donuts and time trials around the carpark??

[Stephen McMullan]

And finally - considering it was still bright when we were leaving the boulders and we don't exactly take our time walking back to the carpark, it wouldn't be unreasonable to request that the opening hours be extended till 6:30/7pm to compensate for the improved daylight hours (especially after the last few weeks).

It'd be hard to push for "dawn to dusk" opening. The entire matter is contractual between Wicklow CoCo and the operator and the contract still states 4pm as far as I'm aware. 6pm is doing the users a favour and not obligation. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

However I'd be suprised if there isn't an extended opening for "summer time" but no idea if/when it kicks in.

S

[adagio]

Firstly...
Apologies to the Ming and Co.. I stand corrected... nice friction on Saturday.
Sean.. unless we were in some kinda worm hole (time travel thingy!) there were two cars in the C.P @ 18:10 - but I have been known to be wrong (please see above apology to Ming) 
The guy freezing his ass off I assure you wasn't driving a jeep - that was his boss!
There is no warning sign in the car park as you correctly point out, but there is a sign stating that the path is closed/dangerous on the track - however, this is just a precaution and the track is perfectly safe to walk on - I'd be more concerned about the rescue team gaining access to rescue someone (I believe a boat was used recently?).
I do think €4 is a little steep but if you consider payment of the security firm/maintenance and waste treatment for the site, I would imagine that the co council covers most of the cost for these facilities. I work in the water industry and you would not believe the cost involved in providing a basic treatment plant like the one in Glendo. It would be interesting to get a breakdown of operating cost for the Glendo amenities... anyone?
Political satirical comment = I'm not sure of the Wicklow co. council political leanings.. but if there's a substantial FF presence I'm surprised they didn't try to build a super Berti-visitors centre / give the employees a yearly 5% non productivity related pay increase and increase the parking charges to €40... but it's ok... as George Lee is back w/Rte... were all saved.
 

[Graham Williams]

They way that carpark is managed is a joke! A bit like your post Adagio... Bertie, Lee, Treatment plants wtf???

g

[Didds]

[/quote]

It'd be hard to push for "dawn to dusk" opening. The entire matter is contractual between Wicklow CoCo and the operator and the contract still states 4pm as far as I'm aware. 6pm is doing the users a favour and not obligation. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
However I'd be suprised if there isn't an extended opening for "summer time" but no idea if/when it kicks in.
S

Yup, you're dead on with the operator doing users a favour by extending the opening hours by two hours to six. This was only negociated in NOVEMBER just gone, so it kinda would be taking the piss to go bothering them about an extra half hour at this late stage. The summer opening hours will be longer as per contract with parking free from 6:30-10pm. Pretty sure the 4pm (now 6pm) close runs from 1st November until early March...
On a side note, I see the shitehawks are hovering...
P

[adagio]

Wimper... no more stupid posts... promise!

[Stephen McMullan]

You're not playing the game adagio. This is no time for weakness.

[adagio]

Ok..then.. just one more!
It's easy to criticise how the car park (and amenities in general) are being run - but what would you change and how?
Does the site pay for itself and up-keep? - are the commercial possibilities of the site being exploited? - should we build a Snowdon style cafe/shop on top of Lug..etc?
If not, do you think the Co Council should subsidize a non profit making venture for the good/enjoyment of its citizens?
If your answer is Yes.. the government (Co. Council) should, then a interesting question arises: The gov.. collects taxes from us and distributes it for various projects/expenditures.. but is it correct to continue to subsidize something that is non viable as a commercial venture? If the answer is yes - then we get into borrowing and further debt... then the axe comes out.
Regardless of what our (climbing/hiking/bouldering/slack-lining community) political leanings are (conservative, liberal..etc) there is no getting away from the fact that the areas we love and enjoy (Glendo..etc) require maintenance/management and have to be payed for.
Ok.. so let pose an interesting question: Do you think we (climbing/hiking/bouldering..etc) community could run the various amenities in out national parks better the the sub contracted commercial enterprises that are now in place???
What is possible through micro management from a local passionate community?? - Well, take a look at how the Imra site/races are organized or how this site is run by Stephen and Co.... it is possible to create something that is run by the community for the community in a highly organized, structured and professional manner.
Or... is it a case of just turning up @ the Glendo car park, wandering off into the valley and hoping that everything runs smoothly... if it doesn't (someone behaving recklessly w/their car while in the park or the guy who stood in the cold (not in a jeep) all day wanting to go home @ 6pm although his contract states closing time @ 4pm) its no biggy.. a quick post on climbing.ie stating that I am not happy w/those running the car park will suffice and I'll be back next week anyway when maybe things will be better!!
How do you like those apples mister Mc Mullan?? 
P.s.. can we have more dancing fruit.. the banana's got moves 

[Stephen McMullan]

Wow. I had more in mind cheap shots against beano readin' bouldering bimbos but I guess a commie manifesto will do.

I'll go organise more dancing fruit.

S

[Graham Williams]

yawn...

[shayoh]

Does the site pay for itself and up-keep?

That is the question. For more years than I care to remember the car-park was more or less as it is but free and unmanned. Then tenders were invited and it was given into the hands of an operator who charged climbers €1.50 and everyone else €2, even though we left our cars there longer than everyone else. When the operator decided on any day that there was not enough to be made by staying later he went home. The car park was still open when he was gone and I have come back to it at midnight (my navigation isn't always great) and driven out with no problems.

This system was replaced by unmanned barriers and a coinbox which was a mecca for those who needed or wanted money and it must have cost the Council a fortune in repairs. At least you could still get your car out if you came back late.

A new operator took over who charges €4, there are barriers in place and when the barrier minder goes home cars are locked in. This is not great for the barrier-minder who stays past the contract time to oblige us and not great for those who stay late - whether walkers, boulderers, slack-liners or bat-watchers- and find their cars locked in.

Would it be possible for the Council to adjust the barriers so that the out barrier would have a sensor on the car-park side and open to let cars out at any time?

It would be interesting to know what benefit the Council have gained since they changed from the original free car park to the present system.

[adagio]

Great point Shay... the sensor would be a big advantage.
In my experience dealing with co.councils/hse..etc.. the decisions being made are usually very short sighted... and are taken out of the hands of those in the local authorities who have the practicle experience!
In some cases (I am not suggesting that this is the case in the Glendo car park - disclaimer) I have seen projects being awarded as part of the 'buddy system' that pervades our political classes... so... back to your question 'How have the Co.Council gained since they changed.... to the present system?'
The usual answer comes back... 'there was a fair and transparent tendering process.'... once again I am not suggesting that the tendering process for the security on the Glendo car park was anything but above board and appropriate.. assuming there was a tendering process?
And thanks for your insightful contribution Graham.. no doubt your insightful comments will contribute to your particular issue w/the car park being resolved... continue the good work.

[frank4short]

Would it be possible for the Council to adjust the barriers so that the out barrier would have a sensor on the car-park side and open to let cars out at any time?

There is no reason why the council couldn't leave the exit barrier on automatic on the magnetic loop that it runs on during the day. E.g. when you drive up to the exit gate it automatically opens. Therefore there's got to be a reason why the council insist that it's locked at night. My monies on dodgy folk dogging like that McMullen fella.