Importance of Regular Cleaning Of Drains in Carrigaline District

Writes Leo McMahon

Crews are employed on a regular basis to maintain and clean drains and these works are undertaken as and when resources allow, said senior executive engineer Alan Cogan at the recent meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD) in reply to Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF).

The councillor had a motion seeking clarification of the strategy for this, particularly ahead of heavy autumn and winter rain, to prevent flooding and waterlogging on roads and footpaths.  She also asked if the ‘Glutton’ vacuum suction machine for drain cleaning was in the MD.

The engineer replied that the machine was no longer available. He further stated that once a weather warning was received, crews were requested to check known flooding hotspots and clear any blockages to ensure the free flow of water off roads.

A recent photograph of a blocked drain near Woodview, Kilmoney Road Lower, Carrigaline

‘In addition to our own resources assigned to this task, a contractor is employed two days every week to address such issues within the MD’, said Mr Cogan adding that with the MD due to get additional personnel, it should be able to address issues in a more timely manner.  Members could refer to the area office to drains needing attention.

Seconding the motion, Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) said there were weeds growing out of the top of a drain at Kilmoney Road Lower, Carrigaline and in other places. It was important to focus on drain clearing just before the winter.

       Cllr Patrick Donovan (FF) said the tops of several drains in Main Street were caked at the top with silt and dirt and should be checked.

Cllr Eoghan Fahy (SF) also supported the motion, referring to the problem of repeated flooding on the R610 Rochestown to Passage West road.  Grass was higher than the footpath and the drains were still blocked especially near the roundabout at Harbour Heights.  Drains in the MD needed checking every month. The engineer said work was done at Passage West the week before the meeting and pointed out that the MD had 350 kilometres of roads to maintain.

The engineer said it so happened that on the day of the MD meeting he had sent a text to foremen to check drains ahead of forecasted heavy rain but added it was impossible to cover all.

Senior executive officer Maurice Murphy said a private meeting with councillors about the Town Enhancement Plan for Passage West would be held soon and issues such as drainage could be discussed ahead of dedicating resources.

Cllr Jack White (FG) had a motion requesting extra public lighting at Kilmoney Road Lower, especially near Woodview.

In a report, engineer Joseph Keogh said that according to its data base, the area was well lit and retrofitted to energy efficient LED lights. Cllr White contended there were black spots and said he might contact the engineer.

Cllr McCarthy said there was need to trim trees blocking the effectiveness of the lights. Cllr Buckley concurred.  Mr Cogan said members could refer such issues to the area office for passing on to the contractor dealing with this.

Cllr Buckley also had a motion seeking an update on the policy regarding private landowners maintaining hedges, trees or foliage that obstruct and reduce visibility on roads and footpaths and what timelines there were for enforcement.

The engineer replied that Section 70 of the 1993 Roads Act placed responsibility for maintenance of hedges on owners/occupiers of adjoining lands and the season for cutting was from September 1st to February 28th/29th. The only exception to this was to act for road safety reasons.

        ‘Notices are placed in the Press advising landowners of their obligations under the Act. If the council identifies or is made aware of a hazard, it can serve a written notice on the landowner detailing required actions (e.g. felling, cutting, lopping) and a timeframe for completion.

‘Should there be no compliance, the council can instigate legal proceedings. It’s envisaged the roll-out of community wardens to MDs will allow for an increase in enforcement’, said Mr, Cogan adding that he understood the notices are also on the council’s website and social media.

Cllr Buckley said there were unfortunately instances where hedges in rural communities obstructing roads hadn’t been cut back since September 1^st.

Seconding, an Cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) said some landowners were very responsible. If the council had to do the work, it should send a landowner the bill because unfortunately there were some who would never cut their overgrown hedges.  The engineer advised councillors to refer the MD office to any potentially dangerous areas due to overgrowth.  The motion was adopted.

       On a proposal by Cllr Fahy, seconded by Cllr Donovan, the MD recommended that the council declare as a public road, Forest Hill, Carrigaline. Cllr Dalton-O’Sullivan welcomed this. The MD also recommended the disposal by the full council at its next meeting, of land or property at Pottery Road, Carrigaline and an unsold Affordable House at Mayberry, Castle Heights, Kilmoney, Carrigaline.