COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 08, 2012

MOTION NO. 16

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Given the proliferation of the noxious weed "RAGWORTH" on the verges and medians of roads across the County, e.g. the N4 at Palmerston, the Coldcut, the N81, (and that it is illegal not to eradicate it) and as the unkept state of many of these road verges  is a source of frustration and blight on the efforts of local communities who do their best and work towards the objectives of  "Beautiful South Dublin" that Council Management bring forward realistic proposals for implementation on a phased basis begining in 2013, for low maintenance, cost effective and environmentally friendly verges and medians. .

REPORT:

Ragwort is generally not an issue in  Parks nor Non National road grass margins which are maintained by the Parks Department in accordance with budget allocations.

In June ,SDCC received additional grants from the National Roads Authority and asked to prioritise the cutting of Ragworth. The additional monies are National Primary routes   €50,000; National Secondary routes €12,900.

Ragworth was cut on the N4 and N7 in late July and the N81 was cut in September.

In 2013, it is envisaged that the maintenance of the N4 and N7 will be carried out by private contractors (this includes ragworth removal).

Isolated instances of ragworth may occur on land vested in the Council and efforts are made to contain same in the Council's asset management programmes.   The treatment of ragworth on private lands is a matter for the individual landowner.