THE Infrastructure Minister has apologised for what he calls the "unsightly proliferation of weeds" around the roads in the Island.
Phil Gawne MHK says a combination of bad weather over the winter and a wet June has hindered the department's progress in spraying the weeds to kill them off.
The Department of Infrastructure has said it has now reviewed its policy for weed prevention and removal and has now expanded its programme of weed spraying in towns and villages and along main roads.
Minister Gawne said: "Clearly weather and reduced budgets have conspired against us this year and I wish to apologise on behalf of the department for the unsightly proliferation of weeds around our roads network.
"We face a mammoth task in tackling this problem this year and I have asked officers to make sure that plans are in place to ensure that regardless of what the weather throws at us next winter we don't allow the same problem to develop next year."
Last year the department also reduced its hedge cutting activities to only cut where hedges were posing a safety issue – for example when footpaths, signs or sight lines were being obstructed.
However it says some of the hedges around the Island are now becoming "problematic" in terms of road safety and will expand its cutting operations in the immediate future.
Minister Gawne continued: "The reduced hedge cutting programme has resulted in very positive feedback about our beautiful hedgerows but perhaps we have reduced the programme a little too far this year.
"We will look next year at a slightly enhanced hedge trimming programme but will not go back to the days when our countryside hedges were 'scalped' each year!"
Homeowners and businesses have been asked to help the department in cutting hedges and removing weeds from outside their own properties where they are physically able to do so and it is safe to do so. The department does have powers to re-charge land owners for hedge cutting and reserves the right to do so.
What do you think? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below:
