Mayo Greens call for halt to 'savage' hedge and tree cutting in county

THE Mayo Green Party has called for an immediate halt to what it describes as the 'savage' and 'unnecessary' hedge and tree cutting currently being undertaken along many of the county's roads.

Liam Heffron, chairman of the Mayo Green Party, said members had expressed shock at its latest meeting about the 'butchery' they have seen along a number of roads over recent weeks, citing examples where 'entire trees and mature hedging have been completely slashed and left in large piles along the roadside'.

He said this type of aggressive and outdated hedge cutting made a mockery of the Mayo County Council’s sentiments to protect the natural environment and biodiversity within its new county development plan.

“There is simply no accounting for the slash and burn approach that the county council is taking towards hedge cutting along many of our roads at the moment,” he said.

“Entire trees and mature hedges have been reduced to stumps, devastating vital natural habitats for many birds and other essential fauna and wreaking havoc with our biodiversity.

“It makes no sense at all. It is an old-fashioned and, frankly, frowned upon and regressive municipal practice at this stage. Mature hedgerows like we have in Mayo should be protected and celebrated, not destroyed.”

He continued: “The council has just published its development plan for 2021 to 2026 with many welcome commitments to protect Mayo’s natural landscape and unique biodiversity.

"However, this latest show of reckless and senseless decimation goes totally against the aspirations within the plan and raises serious questions.”