There was no South East Area meeting during August.
A South East Area meeting took place on the 11th of September. Cllr Mannix Flynn raised the issue of how graffiti was being dealt with through waste management in the South East area in general. Specifically, he enquired into the roster of the various waste companies, the number of staff employed and whether additional staff were being hired to keep “the streets clean and washed.”
The South East Area manager, Rose Kenny explained that Dublin City Council (DCC) removes graffiti from “street property and furniture” and contacts private owners if their premises are graffitied. The waste management service involves “routes based cleaning by compactor sweeper, manelec, handvac, handcart and large road sweepers,” providing the necessary cleaning services.
There are currently 148 staff employed in total in this area with 52 “waste management operatives,” hired recently to ensure effective delivery of the service locally.
Cllr Paddy McCartan requested that the lampposts at Wilfield Park in Sandymount be repainted and that a specific date can be given for the repaintings. Kenny replied that the council would investigate whether repainting works were required, subject to finances. Cllr McCartan requested that the traffic “issues” around Bremen Road and Bremen Avenue be investigated. He added that when an event takes place at the Aviva Stadium it becomes heavily congested. He inquired whether “no parking” signs could be used, and added that there were issues with speed. Kenny stated that there are at present, no parking restrictions if the cars are parked legally. She further added Dublin City Council may progress with a pay and display system and ballot for residents to see if they are in favour. It will then be given to the Traffic Advisory Group, who will examine it further and write a report.
Cllr Patrick Costello recalled the “ongoing safety concerns,” at the Royal Hospital Donnybrook (RHD) that had been brought up by Cllrs Frank Kennedy and Paddy McCartan. Costello referred to “the concerns of the hospital board of management in relation to the serious safety issues arising from traffic and/or parking management on Bloomfield Avenue,” which they were seeking to bring to the attention of Dublin City Council. Kenny explained that she had made a request to the traffic advisory group to “rescind the pay and display parking on the south side of Bloomfield Avenue, Dublin 4.” Costello would be informed on any updates “in due course.”
Further to this issue of traffic around the Royal Hospital, a motion was put forward by Cllrs Paddy McCartan and Frank Kennedy that “Bloomfield Avenue be designated as a no parking zone on the left hand side of the avenue from Morehampton Road to the entrance of the hospital.” During busy times, on-street parking is so prevalent that “only one vehicle can use the avenue at any one time as there is insufficient space for two vehicles to pass on the remaining roadway.” The councllors asserted that it was an absolute necessity that the hospital had 24-hour ambulance access.
Cllrs Dermot Lacey and Claire Byrne asked for the area manager to see if “installing safe, secure bike parking facilities in the Dart Stations within Dublin Bay South, in particular Sandymount Avenue and Sydney Parade Dart Stations,” were possible. They argued such facilities were currently lacking in the area and would be of great use to people in the area. Kenny replied that there was insufficient space to place bike stands in the area. She further clarified that lighting issues in the nearby areas of Holyrood Park and Ailesbury Gardens meant that bike parking was not recommended in the area.
Cllr Claire Byrne put forward a motion urging the council to tackle anti-social behaviour in the South East Area as a matter of urgency. She referenced crimes such as burnt-out cars, break-ins and bonfires. Kenny explained that the Abandoned Vehicles Section removed burnt-out cars and that Cllr Byrne’s concerns would be relayed to the relevant Garda stations.
Kenny concluded that “huge improvements” had been made by Dublin City Council in reducing bonfires over the last two years. DCC were supported in this initiative by Supt Gerry Delmar and Gardaí from Donnybrook station.
By Kevin Mac Sharry
