Long grass at Midlands roundabouts is 'dangerous'

LETTING the grass grow too long at roundabouts is dangerous, according to an county ouncillor.

Cllr Declan Harvey said he was concerned about the implications of initiatives like 'No Mow May' if the growth on the roundabouts around Tullamore was not cut back.

“Roundabouts, why do they have to be so wild?” the Tullamore Fianna Fail councillor asked Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council.

Cllr Harvey said many people had contacted him about the matter and he knew other councillors had received similar queries.

He said he was “into nature and wildlife”. “Birds, bees whatever, I do believe in protecting all that, but these roundabouts, to me, and to the people I represent are dangerous when they're let grow too high.”

The councillor said that perhaps if they were maintained at a certain height it would be alright. “I'm all for biodiversity and looking after wildlife and insects but we have to put lives first.”

Mr Whelan, who is Offaly's first ever biodiversity officer having been appointed earlier this year, said the issue was being considered and he had spoken to one of his colleagues in the council.

“I have had a number of discussions with Jean Ryan in Tullamore [municipal district] about specifically the Tullamore roundabouts, looking at the management of those as well, as appropriate. So watch this space.”

Mr Whelan had addressed councillors on a number of projects across the county to promote biodiversity but another elected member, Cllr John Clendennen, voiced concerns.

Cllr Clendennen said some people regarded it as “sloppy” to allow wildflowers and weeds in graveyards and he suggested a “signage plan” to help explain why cutting was not taking place.

He said 'No Mow May' was possibly seen by the public as a cost cutting measure, when it's not.

“We've failed to date in terms of getting that message across,” remarked the Fine Gael councillor.

Having listened to presentations from Rachel McKenna, senior architect, and Amanda Pedlow, heritage officer, on preservation of buildings, Cllr Clendennen, said the council would also have to be mindful of the need to create employment and how it was going to engage with communities. “Many would argue that the rate and pace of change is too steep,” he said, so they have to be informed along the way and brought with the council.

The goal should be to bring life back to old buildings and to town and village centres.

Mr Whelan said individual proposals were being developed for graveyard sites and he was conscious that first and foremost they were burial sites.

“We will make sure the mowing fits in before cemetery Mass and all those sort of things,” he said.

He added that Cllr Clendennen was in Kinnitty with him and the “sheer number of species” they saw was incredible.

Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick welcomed heritage work in Bracknagh and urged the community there to enter the Tidy Towns. He also said a heritage group was set up in Cloneyhurke.

Thatching emerged as another specific issue following a query from Cllr Clare Claffey, Social Democrats.

Ms McKenna said the problem with thatching roofs was not funding, it was a lack of thatchers, a number of whom had not worked this year because of illness or retirement or other reasons.

A difficulty with the grant scheme was that when the work could not be carried out in the correct year the funding was withdrawn.

“We've tried to contact other thatchers around the country but they couldn't work here because they're busy in their own counties.”

The number of thatched buildings in Offaly is declining. In 2004 there were 75 thatched properties and in 2018 it had dropped to 43.

Ms McKenna also told Cllr John Carroll that the Birr Destination Town project was delayed due to steel manufacturing issues.

Ms Pedlow told the councillors that Seir Kieran, Clareen, had received funding under the community monuments fund and she hoped to see the conclusion of the graveyard walls work next year under the care of the Church of Ireland.

“The interest is national in Seir Kieran, it is a hugely significant site”.

Replying to another question from Cllr Claffey, Ms Pedlow said the demolished castle at Lemanaghan would not be rebuilt.

“The position of the department is that you conserve as is, so whatever you have you keep,” said the heritage officer.

A “tiny little stump” remained of the original castle behind the schoolhouse and there was now a proposal to erect “bulletproof” glass and on it will be the original castle outline with the stump built into it.

“So without rebuilding it you can stand there and see how it would have looked in the landscape.”