COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
MOTION NO. 3
MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty
"That the Chief Executive outlines a strategy for dealing with illegal dumping in our major laneways such as Tandy's Lane, Ballyowen Lane, Hayden's Lane and Palmerstown back lanes, including installing an array of mobile CCTV units that can be moved from place to place."
REPORT:
Tandy's Lane: The Council's Enforcement and Licensing Section received and investigated 15 complaints regarding dumping at Tandy's Lane in 2015. To date in 2016 there have been 7 compaints received and investigated.
Ballyowen Lane: The Council's Enforcement and Licensing Section received and investigated 18 complaints regarding dumping at Ballyowen Lane in 2015, resulting in 4 litter fines being issued. To date in 2016 there have been 3 compaints received and investigated.
Hayden's Lane: The Council's Enforcement and Licensing Section received and investigated 2 complaints regarding dumping at Hayden's Lane in 2015, resulting in 3 litter fines being issued. To date in 2016 there have been no compaints received.
The Council uses technologies to tackle the problem of illegal dumping and fly tipping. These technologies assist in preventing the creation of litter and with enforcement of the provisions of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, and associated waste regulations to tackle individuals and/ or businesses that are responsible for littering and illegal dumping.
In managing this service, the Council is mindful of resources available, and requests for the installation of technologies (fixed and mobile, overt and covert) are assessed on a case by case basis, and having regard to certain criteria including site suitability and the repetitive nature of illegal dumping and fly tipping.
The Council's CCTV Contractor previously assessed Tandy's Lane for suitability for provision of CCTV, but it was deemed unsuitable due to the narrow nature of the roadway and number of blind corners. Other locations will be assessed in line with the criteria outlined above.
As recently advised (Dcember 2015), staff working on Tandy's Lane are exposed to an increased occupational risk due to the narrow nature of the roadway, the number of blind bends and the volumes of traffic which use the roadway. For these reasons, only limited sections of the road can be maintained and material can be safety removed while maintaining through flows of traffic.
To undertake a comprehensive cleanup of the road margins in a manner that minimises the exposure of staff to unnecessary risk, it is necessary to close the road to through traffic for a limited period of time to enable the cleanup to take place safely.
There is a comprehensive statutory process required under the Roads Act to facilitate a temporary road closure, and this was exercised last in April 2015 when over 7.5 tons of waste was removed.
Notwithstadning that there are difficulties relating to the provision of CCTV, and limitations on cleansing in certain areas due to the road width and use, it is intended to continue whereever possible to investigate thoroughly all complaints received, to provide a targeted / increased visibility of our Warden Service, and to re-assess within Health & Safety paramaters these area for investigations, and planned and scheduled maintenance / cleanups.
An application for a temporary road closure has been made and subject to approval the verges & ditches of Tandy's Lane will be cleaned on Saturday 2nd April 2016.