Clarity sought on ESB tree felling criteria in Leitrim

Clarity has been sought on the criteria the ESB must meet before felling trees at risk of falling on power lines.

Cllr Brendan Barry proposed a motion at a meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District, seeking to obtain this information. He also urged Ballinamore MD to ask the forest service about the requirements for forest owners to fell trees and windblown timber near power lines, residential properties, roads and neighbouring land.

Cllr Barry pointed out that the state funds tree planting as close as 10 metres from high voltage lines and directly beside low voltage lines.

However, the ESB only compensates for corridors 10 metres from medium or high voltage lines and does not designate any corridor for low voltage lines.

“Everyone says forestry should be cutting their trees but if the ESB aren’t looking for a wider corridor then there aren’t too many forestry workers who are voluntarily going to cut trees outside of an area where the ESB isn’t looking for a corridor,” Cllr Barry said.

He highlighted an issue in Drumshanbo, where windblown trees have caused power outages for years. While Storm Éowyn led to action being taken in the area, three other problematic woods have knocked out wires twice.

Councillor warns of ‘inevitable landslide’ due to overhanging trees in Leitrim

Cllr Paddy O’Rourke asked what plans the Council had to address the “serious overlay of trees and forestry” in Carrigallen, particularly in light of Storm Éowyn.

“At what point does the ESB say they’ll go in and cut them?” he questioned.

He also shared an example of a forester who brought in a harvester to clear a public road but was only permitted to cut 20 metres from the edge, despite the trees extending 10 metres into the road.

A response by Economic Development stated, “Leitrim County Council will write to ESB

Networks and request the criteria if any that they apply which prompts the felling of trees where there is potential to cause infrastructural damage to homes and powerlines.

“Similarly Leitrim County Council on behalf of the Ballinamore MD will write to the Forestry Service within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to outline what standard conditions that they apply in relation to felling of trees near powerlines, residential properties and roads,” the reply concluded.

Cllr Barry also proposed a motion for road widening and resurfacing on the L3309 between Rantoge and Aghlin Bridge, noting its heavy traffic and frequent need for vehicles to pull into the verge to pass.

A reply from the Roads department responded that a section of this road is eligible for a surface dressing grant but cannot be widened without a specific improvement grant.

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