COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 14, 2010

QUESTION NO.19

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Manager to report on the prioritisation of footpath repairs in older estates in the County given the likelihood of unsuitable tree roots and populations with higher occurances of limited mobility?

REPLY:

The footpath programme is prioritised based on the condition of the paths in each estate. It appears to be the case that historically, inappropriate species of trees, e.g. cherry blossoms, have been planted by developers or others within certain older estates in the County. Where this is the case and where trees have matured, it is likely that damage to footpaths will be greater, however considerable resources have been expended in recent years in removing most of the incidents of occurence previously identified.

Where damage to footpaths in attributable to the presence of tree roots, the agreed procedures provide that the Roads Department will liaise with the Parks Department in relation to the removal of any trees that are causing damage prior to the initiation of any required footpath repairs. When the offending trees have been removed the carrying out of the necessary repairs will then be listed for inclusion in the works programme subject to prioritisation and availability of resources.

The Council has also undertaken extensive programmes of mobility improvements throughout the County as part of planned improvement works. Typically these works involved the provision of ramps and tactile paving and improved pedestrian crossing facilities.