Concerns raised over removal of trees for Loughmacask link road in Kilkenny

Concerns were raised over the possible removal of trees during the construction of the Loughmacask link road at last Thursday’s meeting of the Environment Strategic Policy Committee.

The matter was raised by Councillor Maria Dollard who said that she was concerned that over 80 trees, which are approximately 22 years old, will be removed for the widening of the road for the Loughmacask link road at Talbots Inch linking up to the new CBS school.

“We are supposed to be looking after what we have and to work around that instead of clearing trees because we are doing development work. The climate is going in one direction, we don’t seem to be thinking ahead,” she added.

Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, Sean McKeown said that he was aware of an undertaking that was made at the time of planning to keep as many of the trees as possible.

“As a local authority we are planting thousands of trees annually, we are not found wanting. As many of those trees that can be saved will be saved and the ones that will be removed will be replaced,” he added.