Work in progress to trim Laois hedgerows at busy junctions
Image for illustration purposes only
HEDGEROWS obscuring busy junctions throughout Co Laois are currently being cut in order to increase safety for road users during the summer season and while greenery is growing at its quickest rate.
At the latest meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick municipal district, Fine Gael councillor John King put forward a motion advocating for hedgerows at busy junctions and turns to create greater visibility for motorists and cyclists during this summer season as growth is now at its strongest.
In response, a member of the area office said that a hedge contractor had been procured by the MD office and that hedge cutting will be carried out for safety reasons for all road users, though they did underscore the fact that the extent of the works would be dependent on budget and resource availability. The representative highlighted that work started last week in the Mountmellick area.
Explaining the impetus behind his motion, Cllr John King explained that he had received numerous calls in the last while about crossroads and different bends where the grass has become too high or bushes have stretched too far onto main roads.
Supporting the motion, Cllr Ollie Clooney wondered if, in places where visibility was impaired, if they could also secure permission to trim hedges if there was an event on in a particular area – a section of the Wildlife Act restricts the trimming of large hedges during most periods of the year as branches provide homes for countless birds’ nests.
In response, the area office highlighted that their ability to more generally cut hedges was heavily restricted by provisions of the Wildlife Act with the cutting of hedges being heavily restricted between 1 March and 31 August.
