Landowners reminded to maintain roadside hedges

Anton McNulty

Mayo County Council is to launch a media campaign to remind landowners of their responsibility to maintain roadside hedges as the season’s prohibition on hedge-cutting ends this week.
Hedge-cutting is permitted under the Wildlife Act is between September 1 and the end of February the following year.
This year, Mayo County Council is planning to step up its awareness campaign at the start of September to remind landowners of their hedge-cutting responsibilities. This will include placing ads in local newspapers, on local radio and on the Council’s website.
In a message to landowners, Paul Dolan, Head of Roads with Mayo County Council warned that the Council have no responsibility for roadside hedges.
“Landowners are responsible for the cutting, trimming and maintenance of roadside trees and hedges that are a hazard or potential hazard to road users or interfere with the maintenance of the road. The County Council has no responsibility in this regard. Dead and unsafe trees should be removed and hedges should be cut and trimmed,” he said.
Mr Dolan added that landowners will be held responsible for the cost of removing any fallen trees from public roads.
Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Richard Finn also asked landowners to ensure that roadside hedges are cut and maintained so that motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can travel safely on country roads.
“We always say road safety is a shared responsibility, so its about us all doing our share to make our roads safer and ensure the success of the road safety strategy,” he said.
While Mayo County Council carries out hedge and verge trimming during the year, many local authorities do not, placing the responsibility solely on landowners. Hedge cutting is one of the most contentious issues among councillors in Mayo County Council, who complain that not enough money is made available to cut hedges along the public roads.
In order to deal with the problem, Mayo County Council has instigated a community hedge-cutting grant scheme in operation. That scheme, encourages a joint approach with communities and groups of local residents and landowners, for cutting hedges and trees which need attention.
The grant will contribute €40 per kilometre, which equates to about 33 percent of the cost.