Call for Leitrim to invest in hedge cutting equipment amid delays

As hedge cutting season begins for another year, a call has been made for Leitrim County Council to purchase a hedge cutting machine for the Manorhamilton Municipal District.

Cllr Pádraig Fallon made the call at September’s meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District, asking that the machine be retained and located within the municipal district.

Saying that each municipal district should have at least one, he said the issue arises every year, but this year in particular there have been a “quite a number of calls and complaints in regards to signage and views at junctions.”

Cllr Fallon said the machine could prove to be value for money if it were available within the county. “We’ve all seen hedge cutting taking place at various places throughout the county. We see local authority staff operating the stop and go signage. This could be done for minimal cost,” he said.

He also pointed out that waiting for a contractor to come to a certain area can take up to one or two months, as they work through their list of places they have been contracted to.

“I think it’s something we really should examine.”

A response confirmed that there is no funding stream available to the District Office to purchase machinery of this type.

Cllr Fallon suggested that a funding stream should be looked at from the general roads department if it is not available through the District Office.

The motion was supported by all councillors in Manorhamilton Municipal District.

“I think we have to look at this long term. We should make the case to get funding for it,” commented Cllr Mary Bohan, while Cllr Justin Warnock added that if the machine can’t be purchased, it should be leased.

Cllr Fallon added that some of the staff who currently carry out hedge cutting work can operate this equipment and have done so previously, while others may require certification.