COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

"During periods of prolonged snow fall such as the so-called 'Beast from the East' in 2018, South Dublin County Council ensures to the best of its ability that roads are kept clear. Less emphasis is placed on clearing footpaths. This choice discriminates against pedestrians. Can the Council investigate acquiring plough or brush attachments for the fleet of sweeping vehicles that operate from Clondalkin so that the footpaths in the area can be cleared in the event of prolonged snowfall? It is acknowledged that some footpaths were cleared manually in Clondalkin by South Dublin County Council staff during the 'Beast from the East'. See attached photos of possible vehicle attachments?"

REPLY:

The Council's Road Maintenance Section operates a fleet of large snow ploughs and gritting trucks as required over the course of the winter months, to maintain main roads in a safe condition.  The Council's Public Realm Section possesses a number of snow plough attachments which fit to the large horsepower tractors which are in use in grass cutting operations, and these were used to clear entrance roads into housing estates during the snow event of March 2018.  There are also a number of smaller snow plough attachments which fit to the Council's ride on mowers and these were also used in March 2018 to clear snow from footpaths in the town and village centres.  Some difficulties arose in March 2018 in using this equipment and these were caused by the manner in which the snow fell, with 12 inches of snow falling at the start of the storm event.  The ride on mowers had some difficulty in moving this depth of fresh snow from footpaths.  The Public Realm Section is happy to examine this and any other suggestion with regard to equipment which can be used for footpath clearance during future snowfall events.