Wing mirrors worth €1,400 being broken by overhanging branches and boughs on N11 in north Wexford

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Drivers of buses, lorries, and other heavy goods vehicles (HGV) are continually losing wing mirrors and suffering damage due to overhanging branches and boughs on the N11 in north Wexford.

With some replacement mirrors costing up to €1,400, local businesses are being left out of pocket due to national regulations which state hedges can’t be cut between the months of March and September - a rule introduced to protect nesting birds and wildlife..

However, at the July meeting of the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD) it was explained that, in instances where a road hazard is being created, a hedge can be cut out of season.

Councillor Donal Kenny had been contacted by unhappy HGV drivers who have had their mirrors dislodged by boughs, and he asked that the council inform farmers of their responsibilities.

“I was informed this morning that a new mirror for a crane costs €1400,” he said. “Can we use our social media channels to get the farmers to cut them back and tidy these boughs up? Farmers are responsible and they should be made to remove whatever boughs are hanging down over the road.

“The companies will be taking the farmers to court if this keeps happening.”

He was supported by Cllr Pip Breen who referenced a case where a local company lost a fridge worth €20,000 due to an overhanging branch colliding with a vehicle.

Aware of the issues faced by HGV drivers, district engineer Joanne Kehoe said a message had been circulated on social media earlier this year reminding farmers of the danger of overhanging branches but that it was difficult to pinpoint problems on a road as lengthy as the N11.

“We can’t check every stretch of road, unless we have a specific location we can’t issue letters.,” she said.

“I’ll get you a location,” said Cllr Kenny.

A further problem, as explained by Cllr Anthony Donohue, is HGVs being forced out into the middle of the road by overhanging branches.

“When you’re driving a lorry it’s completely different to being in a car, there are several roads where HGV drivers are having issues, and it’s forcing them to drive in the middle of the road,” he said.

This led Ms Kehoe to state that hedges can be cut during the summer months, but only if they’re deemed to be creating a hazard.

A lack of information on this has led to farmers being reported for cutting hedges outside the allotted months and confusion and fear among landowners who require clarity on what they can and cannot do.

“In defence of farmers on this issue, there’s an awful lot of rules and regulations regarding tree felling licences,” said Cllr Kavanagh. “There’s a lot of fear on this and they’re being dictated to so much about what they should and shouldn’t do. It’s time we as a local authority provided some clarity.”

“We have discussed this with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA),” said director of roads Eamonn Hore. “You don’t need to have a tree felling licence if it’s a hazard.”