COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

That this Area Committee requests that some form of regular street cleansing be carried out, either by Oxigen or in-house, in those areas of Bohernabreena / Glenasmole not currently included, bearing in mind the impact of hedge cutting residue and leaves on issues such as road safety on narrow rural roads and drainage.

REPORT:

Rural Roads are not currently included under the scope of the Road Sweeping & Associated Services Contract which is managed by Environment, Water & Climate Change Department. This service is provided in urban areas and on urban roads which are defined by a kerb edge.  Road grit builds up against the kerb and this requires regular removal otherwise it will interfere with the road drainage system.  This service also includes the cleaning of gullies to remove grit which has been carried and washed into them.  The absence of a kerb edge on rural roads means that grit does not build up there, instead it is driven off the road and onto the roadside verge.   

Adding rural roads to the street cleaning programme would not be feasible due to the magnitude/length of roads that this would involve and the additional cost that would arise.  The Public Realm Section can examine the area specifically referred to here at Bohernabreena/Glenasmole to determine what level of cleansing or litter picking service would be required in the area in terms of frequency and the nature of the service required.  It can also be determined if this service should be provided within the road sweeping contract or directly by Council staff. 

Where hedge/verge cutting is carried out on rural roads by SDCC Roads Maintenance Section, cutting residue and possible effects on road safety/drainage are managed by them as part of these works.  The issue will be brought to their attention with regard to the clean up aspect of any hedge cutting work that they carry out.

With respect to the impact of leaves on these roads, autumn leaf removal is a service that can be provided as part of the associated services of the Street Sweeping Contract.   The leaf removal service is provided on request from local residents and local elected representatives, should a need for leaf removal arise in a particular area this can be dealt with on request to the Public Realm Section.