Keep your hedges safe.

Cork County Council has issued a warning reminding that landowners have a legal responsibility to keep their hedges safely trimmed.

Under the Roads Act of 1993, landowners are legally responsible for their hedges, and could be held liable for any injury or damage that could occur as a result of such hedges not being properly maintained.

In a statement issued yesterday, the council said: “Uncut hedges and trees are a serious road safety hazard and can cause substantial damage to vehicles, particularly heavy goods vehicles. Examples of hazards include dead or dying trees, ditches or hedges interfering with traffic, blocking footpaths, obscuring road signs, public lighting, or road users’ visibility.”

“Landowners/occupiers are required to fell, cut, log, trim or remove such trees, ditches and hedges. Particular attention should be given to damaged or weakened trees or limbs and stumps of felled trees as a result of storms and that all necessary work should be carried out while hedges are dormant between the start of September and the end of February.”

“Hedgerows are vital to biodiversity and it’s important that landowners keep in mind that any cutting, grubbing and burning of vegetation on uncultivated land between 1st March and 31st August is prohibited under the Wildlife Acts.”