COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor E. Coburn

"To ask the Manager for details of the 2010 Grass Cutting programme in the Rathfarnham Area?"

REPLY:

Under normal circumstances with a full compliment of staff and machinery, the Parks Dept. would endeavour to have all open spaces and grassed areas under maintenance cut on a nine to ten day rota basis. This is the optimum and most cost efficient cutting frequency as it minimises vehicle breakdowns, reduces the accumulation of litter and does not generate significant amounts of grass clippings. This frequency is not always achieved due to a range of factors such as staff on leave, machinery breakdowns, weather and ground conditions and other works on hand. 

In relation to grass cutting on public roads, the Council must comply with stringent Health and Safety / Traffic Management requirements now in force. Compliance with the regulations means that additional time is required at these locations in order to set up the signing, lighting and guarding prior to carrying out any works and removal of same upon completion of the works for the day. In addition to this, on the routes carrying significant volumes of traffic where traffic flows have to be maintained at certain times of the day e.g. rush hour periods, working is often restricted to off peak periods in order to maintain traffic flows. The combined effect of these requirements is that the main roads will be cut, at most, three to four times this year. A programme for this work is in preparation in association with the Council's Roads Maintenance and Traffic Sections. 

Notwithstanding the above, every effort will be made to allocate the resources available within the Parks Department on a prioritised basis to maximum effect, to ensure that the grass maintenance across the Rathfarnham Area is to the highest possible standard.  In this regard, priority will be given to the maintenance of playing fields to ensure that they are available for play.