Landowners to be asked to cut back hedges from footpaths

CLLR Irene Winters has asked for letters to be sent out to landowners who have hedges and trees on their land overhanging onto public footpaths and roads.

At last Monday’s meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, Cllr Winters also recounted the story of one visually impaired girl whose life is being made increasingly difficult by the amount of overgrowth blocking her path.

Cllr Winters had recently spoke to the girl’s mother and learnt of the problems she was having in getting around because of hedges exceeding the perimeter of properties.

‘Visually impaired people are taught to walk on the inside of the footpath so if they trip they won’t fall into the path of a car,’ explained Cllr Winters. ‘Unfortunately, this girl can’t do that because of the amount of overgrowth along her walking route. She is ending up with snagged clothes and briar cuts to her face.

‘Obviously she doesn’t know the briar’s are hanging over until she is slap-bang in the middle of it. Her mother approached the homeowner to explain the situation and was basically told to “blank off ”,’ she said.

Cllr Winters requested that the municipal district write to offending landowners whose hedges are overgrown and creating a nuisance.

‘It might just be a lack of awareness, though I think most people when approached would be happy to cut back. The onus is on the landowner not to have their hedges overhanging’.