Finlay calls to cut grass and hedges

Alderman John Finlay has expressed concern about the failure of the authorities to cut grass and hedges on road verges.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Jun 2016, 07:16 BST
Alderman John Finlay has expressed concern about the failure of the authorities to cut grass and hedges on road verges. inbm27-16sAlderman John Finlay has expressed concern about the failure of the authorities to cut grass and hedges on road verges. inbm27-16s
Alderman John Finlay has expressed concern about the failure of the authorities to cut grass and hedges on road verges. inbm27-16s

He explained: “In recent years, I have warned about the road safety implications of the failure by Transport NI to cut grass and hedges along the roadside and in central reservations. This year seems to be worse then ever. The warm spring and summer weather has led to fast and steady growth in grass, weeds and hedges, and in some cases low hanging branches of trees are also a problem. This has very obvious implications for safety on our roads, especially at junctions, but we are told that maintenance cannot be done on a regular basis because of budget cuts.

“The situation has been so bad that I and a friend of mine recently took matters into our own hands at Lislagan Road, Ballymoney where we cut the grass verges near a road junction. We didn’t mind doing this, for if it prevents an accident at or near the junction then it will have been worth it. However, the duty of care rests with the lawful authorities and it is vital that they carry out their duties.

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“I call on the Roads Minister, Chris Hazzard MLA, to make this aspect of road maintenance a priority and to ensure that it is adequately funded. No price can be put on human life”.