This article is from page 14 of the 2012-09-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
IT IS that time of year again – children are back at school, good intentioned individuals are joining gyms and the members of Clare County Council are discussing hedges.
Cllr Oliver Garry (FG) admitted that the issue arrives every year, as it still has to be resolved completely.
The West Clare councillor said that at previous meetings it was proposed to contact farming organisations and forestry groups to try and progress matters in this area.
“Could the Director of Services report to the members of the progress that’s being made, as this is a serious road safety matter all over the county?” he asked.
Under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, landowners and occupiers are responsible for trees and hedgerows on or inside their boundaries adjacent to public roads, and Clare County Council are the authority with the responsibility to ensure that public roads are kept free of obstructions which include overgrown hedgerows and verges.
There remains a grey area around issues of removed corners, hedges originating inside a boundary wall and growing on to the public are and roads with stone walls as margins.
Director of Services Ann Haugh confirmed, “Discussions have been held with the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association regarding the need for cooperation from landowners in terms of their responsibility.
“While landowners do have some concerns, the discussions were constructive and a response is presently awaited from both organisations. This response is expected within the next couple of weeks,” she said.
“We are hoping that the two organisations will come on board with the council and the gardaí in a public relations strategy with a view to being in a position to work constructively with landowners in the public interest.
“Equally I would hope that the debate pursuant to this of motion would generate constructive publicity to assist in persuading landowners to work in co-operation with the council and the gardaí on the matter.”
Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) raised some concerns that some of the letters sent out to landowners “seems quiet threatening”. He said they were not responsible for a hedge that grows over their wall.
Cllr Tom McInerney said very little progress has been made on the issue to date.
“I think it is very unfair to hold farmer responsible for hedges growing outside their walls.”
He questioned the fairness of people in rural Ireland paying the same charges as people in urban Ireland, who have footpaths outside their homes, and are then expected to cut hedges.