Gardaí urge caution as Donegal hedge-cutting season gets underway
Drivers advised to slow down and stay alert as hedge-cutters and tractors become more visible on roads
Gardaí in Donegal are urging motorists to take extra care on rural roads as the annual roadside hedge-cutting season gets underway.
The hedge-cutting season officially commenced on Tuesday, September 1, and Gardaí say road users should be particularly mindful of the increased presence of large machinery operating along roadsides over the coming weeks.
Motorists are being asked to reduce their speed, remain alert and exercise caution when approaching hedge-cutting operations, particularly on narrow country roads where visibility and available road space may be restricted.
Gardaí are also appealing to landowners and farmers carrying out roadside hedge-cutting to ensure that appropriate warning signs are clearly in place to alert motorists to the work ahead.
They say the presence of tractors, hedge-cutters and other large machinery can create additional hazards for drivers and other road users.
Under Irish wildlife protection legislation, it is generally an offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges between March 1 and August 31, with certain exemptions.
The restrictions are designed primarily to protect nesting birds and wildlife during the breeding season.
From September 1, hedge-cutting can generally resume, although landowners must still comply with other requirements, including restrictions relating to protected wildlife and road safety.
Where vegetation overhangs a public road, landowners have responsibilities to ensure it does not create a danger or obstruction for road users.