Road safety authorities issue a two-week ultimatum to landowners, demanding they trim back overgrown hedges to avoid legal action and potential danger to road users. Hedges can be cut between September 1st and February, but failure to comply could result in enforcement by local councils. The RSA, CCMA, and IRHA highlight the legal responsibility and urgency of maintaining hedges to ensure road safety for all.
Road safety authorities have issued a stark warning to landowners, demanding they trim back overgrown hedges within the next two weeks to prevent potential road hazards. Failure to comply could result in enforcement action by local councils.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA), in conjunction with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), emphasized that landowners have a legal obligation to maintain hedges and prevent them from becoming a danger to drivers. They highlighted Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, which explicitly states the responsibility of hedge maintenance lies with property owners or occupants. A recent RSA survey revealed that a staggering 75% of truck drivers reported encountering roadside hazards caused by overgrown hedgerows. The RSA spokesperson stressed the urgency of the situation, urging landowners to take immediate action to ensure their hedges pose no risk to road safety. Hedges can be trimmed between September 1st and the end of February, in accordance with the Wildlife Act 1976, which prohibits hedge-cutting from March 1st to August 31st, except in cases where overgrowth poses an immediate road safety threat.The spokesperson further explained that properly maintained hedges are crucial for protecting vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, by preventing them from being forced onto the road due to excessive overgrowth. Ger Hyland, president of the IRHA, highlighted the dangers faced by truck drivers, who often have to swerve across the white line to avoid collateral damage to their vehicles and wing mirrors. He urged landowners to trim hedges back at least four meters to mitigate this risk. Sarah O’Connor, director of the RSA, echoed the call for responsible land management, stating that overgrown hedges can create a significant road safety hazard and that everyone has a role to play in making roads safer. Barry Kehoe, chairperson of the CCMA and chief executive of Westmeath County Council, also emphasized the shared responsibility of landowners and roadside residents to ensure their properties do not contribute to road safety hazards
ROAD SAFETY LANDOWNERS HEDGEROWS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TRANSPORT
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