COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

QUESTION NO. 26

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Manager why the grass median and footpath verge on the N4 from the county boundary at Palmerston to the county boundary at Leixlip was not maintained over the summer months and why it was not maintained in the pristine condition that it was in for the visit of Queen Elizabeth?

REPLY:

The provisions for cutting of verges and medians on the N4 is just one aspect provided for in an overall grant received from the National Roads Authority for the maintenance of all National Primary and Secondary routes in the County.  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 and other National routes 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.