COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 12, 2011

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Manager for a report on the maintenance of the grass verges/medians across the County roads especially on main routes such as the N4, N7 and N81, how often these have been cut/serviced in 2011, when they will be cut again and to indicate if the standard of maintenance of the grass margins/medians of these routes is satisfactory?

REPLY:

The provisions for cutting of verges and medians on the N7, N4 and N81 is provided for in a grant from the National Roads Authority for the maintenance of National Primary and Secondary routes.  The grant provides for the ongoing routine maintenance of particularly signage and the repair of damaged barriers along the National Primary and Secondary routes through the County and residual monies are then applied to the grass cutting programme for these roads.  Provision in the current grant has allowed for the cutting of the N4, N7 and N81 earlier this year but there is insufficient monies remaining to allow further cuts.  It should be noted that there are substantial costs for health and safety associated with every activity on the national routes.

A section of the N4 is still the responsibility of Jons Civil Engineering until 2012 and the Council has been in touch with the company to ensure that they carry out verge maintenance on this area.

Discussions have been held with the National Roads Authority regarding the National Road Maintenance Programme and the Council has emphasised the necessity for further funds to be allocated so that an ongoing programme of verge maintenance can commence.