COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

MOTION NO. 8

MOTION: Councillor A-M. Dermody

"That the Chief Executive through the engagement of the Public Realm section consider and outline what improvement works could be considered for inclusion at the car park at Grange Road/Rathfarnham Road, especially given the increased footfall through the area ahead of the 1916 commemorations. The area ought be examined to determine what works are required to bring it to an acceptable standard, those works ought to be costed and presented to this Committee for consideration and from there be considered for inclusion in the Public Realm Improvement Works Programme for 2016. One of the main issues raised here is the present condition of the glass recycling bring banks at this location.  I'm seeking a full report on the engagement by the Council's service contractor RehabGlassco since I sought this in my motion to the Council in October.

I understand the Rathfarnham Tidy Towns group has disbanded and I’m calling on Public Realm section to include the car park at this location in the weekly cleansing schedule. I’m asking for the bollards to be repainted, for the cycle stand to be tidied and the cover replaced. Please also confirm if contact was made with the Tidytowns group to establish and confirm the present position and to see if perhaps the Council could help resolve any issues facing the group."

REPORT:

As mentioned in the report to the October meeting of this area committee the car park at this junction is maintained by the Council's Road Maintenance section who have confirmed that they will consider including this car park in their Roadworks Programme for 2016.  On further examination it appears that the surface markings only are in need of attention, the car park surface itself appears in good condition and this information has been passed on to the Roads Dept for their consideration.

The condition of the glass recycling containers has been examined with the assistance of the Council's service provider RehabGlassco.  Regrettably there is no scope to relocate the containers within the car park due to the layout of the car park and the existence of overhead power cables close to the boundary wall with Beaufort Downs. The only option in this regard is to leave the containers where they are and to screen them from the view of pedestrians and traffic on the main roads. While the containers have been painted in the past year their pesent condition is not acceptable and this matter will be addressed as part of any proposed works.

The main issue to be addressed at this location is one of general maintenance.  Contact has been made recently with the Rathfarnham Tidy Towns group about this area.  They have informed the Council that they had been maintaining the area in the recent past with the assistance of two workers who were engaged by them through the TUS scheme.  These workers are no longer with them unfortunately.  The Tidy Towns group do not have capacity within their own volunteer numbers to maintain this area, and their efforts are now focussed on Rathfarnham Village only. In these circumstances the Council's public realm section will now reinstate regular maintenance visits at this location.

In conjunction with this a small improvement works scheme will be costed and proposed for inclusion in the 2016 programme of works.  This scheme will include screening and tidy up of the recycling containers site.  The painting of concrete bollards and clean up of the bicycle shelter will also be included as suggested.  The improvement works programme for 2016 is due to be presented for approval to the December meeting of the County Council.