Greenery stripped Laois canal bank like “lunar landscape”
Laois Councillor says vegetation is being sprayed and cutback along the canal
The canal bank at Viccarstown is like a “lunar landscape” as the greenery is being cut back and burnt off, a councillor has claimed.
Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan said the greenery along the canal is “getting less and less” at a time when the council should be supporting the all island pollinator plan to help bees and butterflies.
She tabled a motion asking “that this Council write to Waterways Ireland to ask that in the interest of biodiversity, they desist from excessive cutting and spraying of vegetation around the canal in Vicarstown.”
Cllr Phelan was shocked to see the amount of vegetation which had been cut back or sprayed along the canal.
“As far as the eye can see you can just see burnt orange,” said Cllr Phelan.
She brought an ecologist down to the canal to view the scene and she said, “they agreed it is crazy what’s going on.”
Cllr Phelan said it is “more like a lunar landscape rather than the greenery you would like to see.”
In a written response, Senior Engineer, Adrian Barrett, said “Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management and maintenance of inland navigable waterways. This responsibility includes the maintenance of including navigation channels, embankments, towpaths, adjoining lands etc..
Should the members agree on the notice of motion, correspondence will issue to Waterways Ireland regarding the same.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr Paschal McEvoy seconded the motion. “I think the motion should be sent to Waterways Ireland,” he said.
The issue was discussed at the December meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.