Hedge cutting season begins in September - public urged to take action for road safety
Overgrown or overhanging vegetation can create serious road hazards
Press Release: Monday, 11 August 2025
Longford County Council is reminding all landowners and occupiers that hedge cutting season will officially open on 1 September 2025 and will run until 28 February 2026. This is the only period during which hedge and verge cutting is permitted under the Wildlife Act. To avoid harming wildlife, hedge cutting can only be carried out over this six-month period.
Proper maintenance of roadside hedges, shrubs, and trees is essential to ensure the safety of all road users. Overgrown or overhanging vegetation can create serious hazards by:
- Obstructing motorists' sightlines at junctions
- Blocking road signs and lighting
- Narrowing roadways and footpaths
- Creating dangers from dead or unstable trees
Under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, landowners and occupiers of land along public roads are legally required to ensure that hedges and trees do not present a danger or obstruction.
This includes:
- Cutting or trimming back hedgerows and removing all cuttings from the road and verges
- Cutting back overhanging vegetation from footpaths and junctions in urban areas
- Removing dead or unsafe trees from the roadside
- Bearing the cost of removing fallen trees from public roads
Failure to comply may result in enforcement action, including the issuing of a Hedge Cutting Notice.
Longford County Council may intervene where hazards exist, and costs of such work may be recovered from the landowner.
Members of the public who are aware of dangerous roadside vegetation are encouraged to contact the council by email at roads@longfordcoco.ie
Let's work together to keep our roads safe for everyone.
