Wildflower road verges not sign of lazy council

If you think that Westmeath County Council is slacking in trimming roadside verges, they are not, they are being environmentally friendly.

Green Party councillor, Hazel Smyth, has applauded the council for growing wild flower meadows along the roadsides in accordance with the national pollinator plan and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

Speaking at the July meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, she described this new approach as “beautiful and environmentally beneficial”. She suggested that signs should be put up letting people know that this wild look is deliberate and not due to a lack of concern or attention by the council.

Other members, however, were anxious that roadside verges should be cut and housing estates sprayed for weeds.

Cllr Denis Leonard wanted the main streets in rural towns and villages tidied up and Cllr Ken Glynn wanted housing estates sprayed. Cllr Michael Dollard said the entrance to Bellview and parts of Dalton Park needed to be sprayed, while Cllr John Shaw said some roads in his area were dangerous because of overgrown verges. Cllr Emily Wallace suggested that these works should begin earlier in the year.

Executive engineer, Pat Kavanagh, said that works had been slowed because of Covid-19, but the council is “out full belt at the moment”. They have engaged a contractor, but their own staff are on it too. He invited members to let him know of any areas of concern after the meeting.

Mr Kavanagh agreed to take on board Cllr Smyth’s suggestion that the public should be made aware of the council’s wildflower meadows approach.