Briars 'shaking hands with each other' across Cork roads, claims councillor 

Cork County Council is being urged to get tough on rogue landowners who have refused to cut roadside growth which is causing significant safety issues for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists and leading to a number of accidents and costly damage to vehicles.

So far this year, 274 warning letters have been sent to landowners by the council, and while a lot comply, some repeatedly don’t.

The council hasn’t prosecuted anybody or fined those who failed to comply.

In some cases where it is deemed to be a serious road safety issue, the council can move in itself and carry out the work.

However, the local authority hasn’t disclosed how many of these cases have arisen and if they have managed to recoup the money from the landowner.

The level of growth of roadside verges has led several councillors to claim that it is creating serious hazards for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Cutting is not allowed between March 1 and August 31 to protect wildlife.

Aontú councillor Peter O’Donoghue said the council should write to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and request that in the interest of public safety, hedge cutting ban restrictions be removed in relation to the cutting of roadside hedges and ditches.

He maintained most birds don’t nest on the side of the road and that landowners should be able to cut during the closed season without fear of prosecution.

“Others use it as an excuse not to do anything,” Mr O’Donoghue added.

The council can act itself during the prohibition cutting season if it deems it is a serious road safety issue, especially at junctions.

Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins said these problems are aired each year.

It’s like groundhog day. The briars in West Cork are shaking hands with each other across the roads. 

“I know of car rentals charging people for scrapes caused by them. I had two lady friends over from the US and one got out her camera to take pictures because she couldn’t believe the state of the ditches,” Mr Collins said.

“The closed season is too long,” Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said. “Cutting should be allowed from August 1.”

Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry, who is a farmer, said: “As a council, we have to bring the stick approach about the same landowners on the same roads doing nothing every year.”

Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton added: “A haulage company told me it’s costing thousands of euro to replace broken wing mirrors. The council does need to get stricter.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Ann Marie Ahern said. “There’s been a lot of negligence from landowners.

“We need to take a stronger line with them on road safety issues.”