Hedge Cutting Restrictions Dangerous

Written by Cian MacSweeny
Friday, 27 June 2008
David Wilkinson, IFA Countryside Chairman, has said that the poor signposting of some rural road-works and the overgrowth of road verges, most notably on narrow country roads, are issues which are increasing the risk of accident especially during the holiday period. The IFA Countryside Chairman said that the regulations on hedge-cutting are too restrictive and need to be addressed. He stated, “The effect of banning hedge-cutting from the 1st of March to the 31st August is that it drastically reduces visibility as weeds and bushes grow out from both sides of already narrow roads.” Mr. Wilkinson said that the hedge cutting restriction period was too lengthy and that shortening it to mid July would create a better balance between road safety concerns and the concerns for nesting birds which will have mostly left by then. “Rural road users are being put at unnecessary risk and while there is an exemption for public health and safety it is bureaucratic and consequently not used near enough.” He also noted that local county councils should make a greater effort to signpost temporary road works especially on narrow rural roads. He concluded, “The summer months see a significant increase in tourist traffic on rural roads and local authorities have an obligation to ensure that these road-works are well signposted so that unfamiliarity with local road works does not lead to unnecessary accidents.”