Hedge cutting season, where hedges in fields and along roadsides can be cut, gets under way from today, Tuesday 1 September and lasts until 28 February.

The cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction by other means of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches is restricted between 1 March and 31 August under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

Safety

Appeals have been made to landowners, farmers and households to ensure roadside hedges and overhanging trees on rural roads are cut in the interest of road safety.

Those operating hedge cutting machinery should take particular care around power lines and should check for adequate clearance before passing underneath them.

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The equipment, the operator and the public – insuring your hedge cutter

Overhead wires and flying debris top the hedge-cutting safety concerns