Donegal councillor urges landowners to maintain dangerous trees

A Donegal councillor has urged landowners to maintain trees on their property.

Cllr Declan Meehan put forward the motion at the Letterkenny-Milford MD meeting, asking the road team to contact landowners in locations where trees pose a risk of falling.

The independent councillor wants landowners to be aware of their responsibility to maintain trees on their property and to remove or cut back any trees that may pose a danger to road users or the general public.

“We know there are blackspots where there are trees alongside roads that pose a threat to drivers and pedestrians,” Cllr Meehan said.

Cllr Meehan states that these areas have been flagged with the MD’s Road Team, and he has been in contact with them in regard to these locations, where he received a response stating that the landowners have been contacted.

“It’s important to remind landowners that under the Roads Act 1993, the liability does not rest with the council; it lies with the landowners,” Cllr Meehan said. “Should anything fall from a tree once it’s on private land onto a road”

Cllr Meehan highlighted the importance of ensuring landowners are aware of this responsibility coming into the winter months.

Cllr Tomás Seán Devine, 100% Redress, seconded the motion.

The council agreed to contact relevant landowners and follow procedures in accordance with the Donegal County Council Hedge Cutting Policy and the 1993 Roads Act.