COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 14, 2009

QUESTION NO. 13

QUESTION: Councillor D. Keating

To ask that the Manager would report in detail as to why grass remains un-cut, in some cases for many months, including in road medians, and verges in our county?  In some adjoining local authorities it is evident that grass in similar locations is being maintained on a regular basis, an example of which is on the N4 where on the Dublin City side grass is being maintained regularly and on South Dublin County Council side it is in the most appalling condition.

REPLY:

It has been a challenging year to keep grass growth under control. The grass cutting programme has been significantly affected over the last number of months due to the very poor weather conditions prevailing since the end of June. Met Eireann statistics for the summer just passed have confirmed rainfall levels 42% above average for the South Dublin County Council area. The above average rainfall levels were also accompanied by above average temperatures which have resulted in rapid rates of grass re-growth. The levels of rainfall have also presented difficulties for the staff of the Parks & Landscape Services Department where some open space areas could not be cut due to waterlogged ground conditions. In general, service levels have been maintained in respect of lands in charge of the County Council.

Where grass has not been cut, it is generally because the open spaces in question are not in charge of the Council. Maintenance of these areas is the responsibility of the relevant developer. In a number of cases, staff in the Parks Department have made contact with developers to remind them of their obligation to maintain open space areas until such time as they are taken in charge and put under regular maintenance by the Council.

In relation to the specific matter of grass cutting on public roads, works on these areas are now subject to Health & Safety considerations that did not previously apply. The Health & Safety considerations have necessitated the training of Council staff involving Signing Lighting and Guarding of the work area while maintenance work is taking place.  In the case of dual carriageways and major roads additional specialized training is required to comply with Health & Safety requirements and trainers are being sought at present to provide this training.

In the interim, in order to carry out works on dual carriageways and major roads, specialist contractors will have to be engaged to provide the Signing Lighting and Guarding part of the operation, as was the case recently where works were carried out on behalf of the NRA on the Clondalkin to City West section of the N7.

In relation to the maintenance of the N4, the Council is not in a position to comment on the arrangements that Dublin City Council have in place. The section of the N4 from the city boundary to the Kildare border is maintained by the Council on behalf of the National Roads Authority. The costs associated with maintaining the route are recouped from the NRA on an annual basis. Preparations are in hand in partnership with the Roads Department, to put in place the necessary Health and Safety arrangements so that the section of the N4 at Palmerstown, extending from the city boundary to the M50 can be cut and tidied. It is anticipated that the necessary arrangements will be put in place in the near future.