Council chief issues hedgecutting plea

THE cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Richard Finn, is calling on landowners, farmers and householders in rural and urban areas to ensure that roadside hedges are cut and maintained.

He said it is vital so that motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can travel safely on country roads and similarly over hanging vegetation in urban areas be cut back from footpaths and at junctions. 

He thanked them for their continuous work within communities making roads safer in Mayo.

  
Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 places responsibility for the maintenance of roadside hedges on the owners/occupiers of the adjoining lands.

The season when hedgecutting is permitted under the Wildlife Act is between the start of September 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 advertisments in local newspapers, on local radio and on the council's website.

Mayo County Council has 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 km, which equates to about 33% of the cost. 

“We always say road safety is a shared responsibility, so it's about us all doing our share to make our roads safer and ensure the success of the road safety strategy,” added Councillor Finn.