Call to allow overgrown hedges be cut in summer

A local county councillor has called for a special exemption to cut roadside hedges during the summer as a safety measure.

Trim area councillor Joe Fox has called for the exemption of roadside hedges from the Wildlife Act, which restricts hedge-cutting to six months of the year.

Speaking at Friday's meeting of Trim Municipal District Council, Cllr Fox argued that the amendedment of the Wildlife Act in 2000 has resulted in 'a marked deterioration in the condition of hedges'.

Hedge-cutting by machinery is restricted from 1st March to 31st August under existing guidelines in order to protect nesting birds and wildlife but this has contributed to many roadside hedges in the county becoming overgrown and impeding visibility at road junctions, he said.

Cllr Fox also suggested that, as roadside hedges account for 'just three per cent of total hedgerows' in the country, 'it wouldn’t be a major attack on the wildlife of the country if we did have a derogation on roadside hedges'.

Cllr Ronan McKenna supported the call for a derogation while noting that 'there hasn't been the same reduction in the maintenance of internal hedges for tillage farmers'.

Cllr McKenna added: 'Roadside hedges are in appalling condition in the area. An extra effort has to be made by the county council as it’s a problem in Summerhill, Enfield and rural areas in Trim.'

He claimed that some hedges haven't been maintained for up to 10 years.

Cllr McKenna also called for action on ragwort, a noxious weed covered under the Noxious Weeds Act.

It is an offence not to prevent the growth and spread of noxious weeds including ragwort, thistle, dock and wild oat, yet it remains a 'serious problem' in south Meath, according to Cllr McKenna.

'Those who aren't of an agricultural background might not identify how serious an issue it has become,' he said. 'The IFA has also highlighted this and talked to the Minister (for Agriculture, Food and the Marine) about it, but hedge-cutting and ragwort must be tackled.'

Responding to a question from Cllr Enda Flynn regarding the ultimate responsibility for hedge-cutting, area engineer Vincent Collins confirmed that the 'landowner is deemed responsible for the hedge'.

Mr Collins added that Meath County Council can serve a notice on landowners if required.