Scorched Vicarstown is 'like a lunar landscape'

GREENERY around the picturesque canal in Vicarstown has been scorched due to excessive spraying and is “like a lunar landscape”, according to a local councillor.

Cllr Vivienne Phelan told a Laois council meeting that she was contacted by concerned residents, who noticed a major reduction in vegetation along the canal.

The council has agreed to write to Waterways Ireland, asking that they ‘desist from excessive cutting and spraying of vegetation’ in the interest of biodiversity at the popular visitor destination.

The move comes after cllr Phelan received unanimous support for the proposal, at the December meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District.

The Stradbally-based councillor said that several long-term residents in Vicarstown contacted her, after they noticed that the amount of greenery at the canal was “getting less and less”.

She pointed out that biodiversity and the All Ireland Pollinator Plan have become central to the work of Tidy Towns groups across the county.

Cllr Phelan said that when she went to Vicarstown, she saw that some of the vegetation was “completely burnt” with spray.

She said: “I also had an ecologist look at it and they agreed that the amount of spraying has gone way too far. It is more like a lunar landscape now.” 

Senior council engineer Adrian Barrett said that Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management and maintenance of inland navigable waterways, including navigation channels, embankments, towpaths and adjoining lands.

The engineer confirmed that correspondence would be sent to Waterways Ireland, after cllr Phelan’s proposal was unanimously supported by fellow councillors in the district.