COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

HEADED ITEM NO. 11

A review of the maintenance of Roundabouts in the Rathfarnham Electoral Area

The three most prominent landscaped roundabouts in the Rathfarnham Electoral Area are:

·        Orlagh Grove/Scholarstown Road

·        Scholarstown Road/Templeroan Road

·        Ballyboden Road/Taylor’s Lane

The roundabouts were designed and planted in an attractive manner with the purpose of enhancing the local housing and road landscape and as a contribution to the enhancement of the County as a whole.  The landscaped roundabouts attracted favourable comment from the public and the opportunity to provide sponsorship for some of them was taken up by local businesses.

The roundabouts were designed to be continually changing landscapes in terms of seasonal growth and colour and were, therefore, by necessity relatively complex and this resulted in high maintenance inputs from staff.  Following on from the implementation of new guidelines in Health and Safety procedures for staff engaged in maintaining these features and the accompanying reductions in staff and resources it has become increasingly clear that the roundabouts can no longer be maintained in the same way as before.  The effects of these constraints can be seen in the deterioration of presentation of the roundabouts and this has attracted unfavourable comment from both the public and the Elected Members.

It is therefore proposed to review the design of the features and to undertake a replanting scheme that will allow for a simpler design and with easier to maintain planting.  This is intended to allow for a higher level of maintenance and a more attractive presentation.  Although the roundabout landscaping will be simpler in terms of the planting composition it will not reduce significantly the attractiveness of them.

It is intended to begin this process on a phased basis in line with budget allocations and that the work will begin in early summer of 2012.  The completion of all three roundabouts will be dependent on the available resources at the time.