WITH the hedge cutting ban about to be imposed, Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) has called on Cork County Council to trim their own boundaries before the March 1st deadline, writes Jackie Keogh.

In Ireland, it is illegal to cut, burn, or destroy vegetation in hedges or ditches from March 1 to August 31 under the Wildlife Act 1976 in order to protect nesting birds.

The ban covers most hedge-cutting, but exceptions do exist for road safety, agriculture, and essential development work. 

'I had a motion about this a number of months back,' said Cllr Collins, who said the grains of sand in the hour glass are rapidly running out.

The councillor​ – who previously paid, out of his own pocket, to have the hedges trimmed along the Rope Walk, which is a very popular loop route​ – listed a number of areas where work is needed.

He said work needs to be done at the Rope Walk again this year, at Casey's tyre centre and at Snave Hill.

Cllr Collins said people turning up to the Coomhola and Borlin valleys are taking blind turns because there are so many trees blocking their view.

He suggested there needs to be 'a big drive' to get the work done in the next couple of weeks.

Cllr Collins also called on the council's newly appointed communications officers to 'get the word out' to landowners throughout the county.

'Some landowners don't think it is their responsibility to clear sight-lines on the side of the road, but it is,' he said.