Hedge-cutting ban in Kildare begins in 10 days

Kildare County Council would like to remind landowners and occupiers that restrictions on cutting hedges and clearing vegetation on uncultivated lands begin within a fortnight, and last from 1 March to 31 August.

These restrictions are in place to protect nesting birds, as outlined in Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 and the Heritage Act 2018.

Hedgerow cutting is permitted from September to February, when hedgerows are dormant.

Landowners and occupiers of properties adjoining public roads, are required under the Roads Act 1993 to ensure that trees, shrubs, hedges, or any other vegetation on their land, do not pose a danger to people using or working on public roads.

“The maintenance of roadside trees, hedges and other vegetation, is the responsibility of the landowner on whose land they are growing,” said a Council spokesperson.