COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

MOTION NO. 18

MOTION: Councillor T. Gilligan

That the Manager addresses grass that is left behind after being cut/mowed and the Manager outlines how to tackle the issue of over growing grass verges in the Woodford/Monksfield area.

REPORT:

The maintenance of grassed areas throughout the County, including the grass verges in the Woodford/Monksfield area, has been a very significant challenge for the Parks Section this year. Because of the high summer rainfall(one of the highest on record), grass growth was very strong all through the summer months. As a result, it was unavoidable that large amounts of grass clippings would arise after each cutting operation. In order to minimise this problem, the vehicle operators try  to ensure that the majority of the grass cuttings are blown back onto the verge as opposed to the adjoining surfaces.  The mowing machines are not designed to collect grass and the manual sweeping and collection of clippings is not possible, due to the limited availability of staff and having regard to the large number of locations and acreage under maintenance. The collection of grass clippings would also create transport and disposal issues which could not be justified.  For these reasons grass cuttings are not collected but left in situ where they can decompose and return their nutrients to the soil. 

With lower night-time temperatures over the Autumn/Winter months it is hoped that grass growth in the coming weeks will slow down , allowing for the normal high standard of grass maintenance to be achieved.