Hedges causing road safety problems

The need for more hedge cutting at dangerous junctions was discussed at a recent sitting of the Ballyjamesduff MD meeting.

Cllr Noel Connell, for example, described a T-junction on the L6595 Ballinagh to Kilnaleck road as a “dangerous zone” due to a hedge obscuring vision to the point that you would not see another car coming.

“If you're down on the flat, you will not see a car,” the Sinn Féin councillor asserted, adding that some cars are “coming up the road like rockets”.

Cllr Philip Brady added that, while out canvassing before the elections, he noticed that some hedges were “unbelievable” especially coming out of houses. He suggested that funding be provided to people to cut hedges. Area Engineer John McGahern responded that “hedges are the responsibility of the landowner or occupier” and that hedge cutting notices have been issued with no response on previous occasions. He said there can be confusion surrounding the hedge cutting season, which is from September 1 to February 28, however cutting of hedges is permitted if they pose a safety issue. He sympathised with farmers who are uncertain of when they can cut hedges due to various environmental schemes, which they may be subject to.

Mr McGahern said there is “a lot of conflicting information being fed to people” and confirmed that “where there’s a health and safety risk you are permitted to cut hedges”.

Cathaoirleach of the Ballyjamesduff MD Shane P O’Reilly seconded the motion asking the question “Do you put the right of a butterfly before the rights of a pedestrian?”

“If you have a dangerous hedge, you’re allowed to cut it,” he urged. Cllr Trevor Smith (FG) pointed out that it is the same people receiving hedge cutting notices every year. The possibility of issuing penalties to those who do not maintain their hedges was suggested, however it was added that it would cost more to bring people through the courts system than it would for the council to cut the hedge.