Hedge cutting season opens today

MAYO County Council is calling on landowners, farmers and householders to ensure their roadside hedges and overhanging trees are cut and maintained so that motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can travel safely on the roads.

The hedge cutting season is open from today (September 1) until February 28.

The council is calling on landowners/occupiers and householders in both rural and urban areas to ensure roadside hedges are cut and maintained along roads, footpaths and at junctions.

Said Tom Gilligan, director of services with Mayo County Council: “We in the roads department of Mayo County Council have had numerous representations from road users concerning the overgrown state of hedgerows and also overhanging trees along some of our rural roads and the serious road safety issues that can result.

“While we would like to compliment the many landowners who maintain their roadside hedges, there is also a significant number who fail to cut and maintain their roadside hedges, which can result in road safety issues. We are calling on them to be more proactive over the next few months to ensure their roadside hedges and overhanging trees are maintained properly, as they are obliged to do under the law.”

Landowners are reminded that Japanese Knotweed should not be cut. No ground disturbance should take place at these sites at any time of year. You are asked to report any instances of Japanese Knotweed to Info@mayo.ie.

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 stepping up its awareness campaign at the start of September to remind landowners of their responsibilities. This will include placing ads in local newspapers, on local radio and on the council's website.

Mayo County Council also carries out a verge cutting programme on its road network. If you have any further queries in relation to hedge cutting in a particular area, you are advised to contact the relevant Municipal District office.