440 complaints made to council over grass cutting

OVER 440 complaints have been made to South Dublin County Council so far this year in relation to grass cutting.

According to figures from a recent report, 440 complaints were received from the period January 1 to July 1, 2021. This is an increase from last year, when a total of 358 complaints and requests for service were received during the same period.

In the month of June alone this year, the council received 257 contacts, while in June 2020 they received just 87 – an increase of 170.

In response to this, the council say that weather conditions were the main reason for this significant increase in complaints this year.

The roundabout between Old Bawn and Cushlawn full of weeds and grass recently

“A study of rainfall data for the year to date shows that May of this year was a very wet month with twice the rainfall of 2020 and 50% more than the average for the month of May.

“The weather conditions themselves impacted grass cutting during that month however more importantly it appears to have contributed to heavy grass growth through the early part of June.”

The council added that growth has now slowed down during this dry period and that “target frequencies for grass cutting are now being achieved”, which in turn will lead to a reduction in the number of complaints received.

The local authority also said that an increasing level of interest in biodiversity in communities led to an increase in complaints.

“One other point to note is that it appears that the number of contacts received in relation to grass cutting has increased due to an increasing level of interest in biodiversity across the community in general, with many queries now being received regarding this issue and how the Council is responding to it in the management of the grass cutting programme.”