Residents’ frustration at the lack of work in estate
By Aimee Walsh
A Residents’ Association has voiced frustration regarding the “quality and frequency of work” carried out by South Dublin County Council and has called for a schedule of works.
Members of Kilnamanagh Resident’s Association (KRA) in Tallaght have spoken out about their dissatisfaction and lack of commitment from the council regarding a schedule of works.
Residents out cleaning up Kilnamanagh estate on Tuesday evening
Chairperson of the association, Darren Doyle, told The Echo that there has been a significant transformation in the area over the last year-and-a-half due to volunteers and other “unsung heroes” picking up litter, trimming hedges and edging grass in their own gardens or other public areas of the estate.
“From early morning to late in the evening you are likely to witness people litter picking, or on a Tuesday night the KRA volunteers will pick a location and undertake some much-needed trimming of bushes, edging of open space etc,” says Darren.
Darren explains that due to Covid-19 restrictions and the effects of the pandemic, volunteers recognised the importance and necessity of outdoor space and began the “make-over” of the area for people to enjoy, but has now come to a point that they need industrial equipment to continue their hard work and are calling on South Dublin County Council for this.
“Over the recent past however there is growing frustration amongst residents of Kilnamanagh regarding the quality of the work and the frequency of the work being carried out by South Dublin County Council in Kilnamanagh.
“One of the most frequent comments is the condition of the grass in the common areas and the overgrown hedging which is a target for illegal dumping.
“The KRA have reached out to the council to agree a schedule of works but has been unable to secure a commitment from them, citing a lack of resources.”
Despite this, Darren says that the Resident’s Association and the other residents in the area acknowledge the support that the council have given to them in terms of supplying gloves, pickers, bags and the regular collections of grass-edging and tree branches.
However, they are now calling on the council to engage with them to agree a schedule of works with them in the Kilnamanagh area. The KRA is also welcoming the opportunity to liaise with local elected representatives to highlight the frustrations held by residents and to coordinate a “planned approach that would go some way to addressing the issues.”
“The KRA would also welcome an opportunity to liaise with local elected representatives to highlight the frustrations held by residents and to coordinate a planned approach that would go some way to addressing the issues.
The Echo contacted South Dublin County Council for a statement regarding this matter, but it was not received in time for print.
