'Massive lovely' Laois hedge falling down after council works

A 'massive' mature roadside hedge is collapsing following works by Laois County Council, local councillors have claimed.

The slow collapse of a hedge that is said to be eight feet tall, is being blamed on removal of the earthen bank in front of it, done when the council carried out drainage works on the road.

Cllr Ben Brennan said that the local group water scheme in his area of eastern Laois at Pedigree, would be hit with a bill of €40,000 if they carry out removal and reinstatement of a hedge themselves.

He is demanding that Laois County Council take responsibility and pay for the replacement. 

"This problem is going on four years, it's not something new. Ballylehane Group Water Scheme wanted to hire a contractor but Laois County Council said 'no, you have to hire such and such'. They came in and took the bank out, put back no bank and the hedge fell down. It's a massive lovely hedge. It has no support.

"We have had more meetings but still no progress. It's going down at least two foot in the middle. Someone has to take responsibility for it. 

"They will have to take the whole hedge out, it will cost an absolute fortune, they got prices quoted of up to €40,000. Mature hedging as well as a wall will have to go back in. The council could do it for a quarter of the price. It's going on years, it's not fair.

"It has to be done fairly rapid. I'll keep on bringing this up as a motion until it's done," Cllr Brennan said.

In answer, a senior engineer in the council's water section said that the council has requested that the GWS engage with a consultant to investigate and report back to the council. Only then will they review the issue.

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Cllr Padraig Fleming who seconds the motion is concerned that this might cost the local scheme members money. 

"I don't like 'requesting them to engage with a consultant'. Does this mean the people have to pay? 

"The whole beautiful hedge is starting to slide, it's going down, down. It's the height of this room. I hope the council pays for the report and takes the corrective action," he said.

Cllr Aisling Moran agrees.

"It's going to completely fall. The initial contractor should be charged for this. They did a job and made a bags of it," she claimed.

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Cllr Aidan Mullins too supports the request.

"It's going on three or four years with motions. This is on elevated land on a bank, the whole lot is ready to come down like a landslide right on the edge of the road. There is potential to cause a serious accident here. The group is constantly being fobbed off year after year," he said.