COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

QUESTION NO. 22

QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

To ask the Manager to carry-out works to the two roundabouts at Foxborough, similar to works carried out at roundabouts at St. Lomans Road and Willsbrook Road, so as to reduce the ongoing maintenance requirements while ensuring an attractive and robust landscaping; and in the particular case of the roundabout on Balgaddy Road to prune or remove the hedging on the roundabout as soon as possible as residents have identified this hedging to be a road safety risk as it blocks driver sightlines. These works are requested by the Foxborough Maintenance Association who do a superb job, through their voluntary efforts, in keeping Foxborough tidy and well-maintained.

REPLY:

While there are no current proposals to landscape the two roundabouts at Foxborough the request will be listed for consideration subject to the identification of the necessary resources.  The hedge on the Balgaddy roundabout is known as the “Balgaddy Bush” and is identified on early Ordinance Survey maps for the area.  It was removed from its original site and replaced by the current bush on the roundabout when road improvement works were undertaken in the area.  Recorded Monument Reference Number 017-031 in the County Development Plan makes reference to the “Holy Bush Site, Balgaddy Road”.  There are no proposals to remove the bush. 

It is not possible to prune the bush at present due to restrictions imposed on the cutting of vegetation by the Wildlife Act 1976.  The issue of sight lines at the Balgaddy Road Roundabout will be discussed with the Roads Department and any works required will in the first instance be discussed with the Council's Heritage Officer.