COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 11, 2021

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor Shane Moynihan

To ask the Chief Executive to undertake a feasibility report on the possibility of a hedge maintenance programme to be undertaken to remove obstruction from footpaths and cycle lanes on a regular basis.

REPORT:

The Council's Public Realm Section implements a hedge cutting programme each year within the period allowed by the Wildlife Act, that is between September and February.  The programme includes the cutting once per year of hedges on road margins, in road medians and around public open spaces.  Hedges within parks are also on the programme however these are cut less often, in general once every two years.  These hedges are cut by tractor with a side-mounted flail, the operaton involves traffic control and clean up of debris after completion.  While it is permissible to cut hedges from September 1st in general the programme does not commence until mid to late October, once grass growth has slowed down.  It is obviously not possible to cut all hedges in the early part of the annual programme, some locations will be cut in October to December while others will not be done until January/February.  Every effort is made to include hedges along footpaths and cycle tracks in the  early part of the programme, as these have the potential to pose a hazard for pedestrians and cyclists, with hedges within parks being left to the later part of the programme. The annual programme will be examined to facilitate changes required to the prioritising or sequencing of areas which are on walking and cycling routes.