“Spray and kill them off” - urges Mayo councillor

A WEST Mayo councillor has called on the county council to start using weed killer on roadside vegetation because the current growth is a danger to road users.

Independent councillor John O'Malley told the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District that the growth in weeds and other vegetation along the side of roads is dangerous for pedestrians and motorists.

The Carrowholly-based councillor explained that it was dangerous going around corners of minor roads due to the vegetation growth and felt spraying the weeds was the only solution.

“I am contacted every day by people who cannot walk with their children on the road or cycle on the road because of the height of the weeds.

“I asked for hedges to be trimmed back and it is not done and roads are an awful disgrace. It is not fair or right the way the roads are. People are taking their lives into their hands and something has to be done about it.

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“Why are roads that don't need to be done being done and roads that need to be done are not done.

“We have to start thinking of spraying and killing them [weeds] altogether and not be at this every year looking for someone to trim the side of the road.

“Spray and kill them off altogether so we won't be coming in looking for funding all the time to trim the roads. Mirrors are coming off trucks and cars and people are complaining and something will have to be done,” he told the meeting.

Louisburgh-based councillor Chris Maxwell agreed that something had to be done with the vegetation growth at the side of roads and called for the hedgecutter to be in use 'around the clock'.

“There are places back in Louisburgh where there are canopies growing over the road and something will have to be done.

“The hedgecutter should be around the clock and a tree shears out to clean bushes once and for all. It seems the birds and the bees and the frogs are more important that kids and families walking the roads and doing their business.

“If someone is killed on one of those corners it will be a different ball game,” he said.

Head of the Municipal District, Seamus Ó Mongáin explained that hedgecutting is restricted at the moment and will start again in September so going around the clock is not possible. Verge trimming, he explained, is taking place at the moment but contractors start first with primary and secondary routes before then going onto regional and local roads.

The subject was also raised at the Castlebar Municipal District where councillors asked for assurances that hedgecutting will start in September when restrictions are lifted.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne stated the hedgecutting started too late last year and not all hedges were done before the restriction came into place at the end of February.

Council official, Pat McHale replied that the council will comply with the legislation and the tendering process for hedgecutting will take place in time for September.