DCC no longer cutting grass verges, reasoning…..biodiversity.

Strumms · 11-08-2023 07:12PM #1

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/dublin/2023/07/22/dublin-city-council-to-stop-cutting-grass-verges-in-effort-to-encourage-biodiversity/

a load of BS… I’d not heard about this but had noticed everywhere in the road / area the verges that used to be perfectly manicured and trimmed, were completely overgrown, ugly, picking up litter and seriously encroaching over onto the paths…

it’s SFA to do with biodiversity and everything to do with not wishing to spend money….the DCC are funded by taxpayers, but the same DCC sees the the hand out for more €€€€€€€ from the taxpayers yet we are now getting less services from them in return… then they disingenuously feed us the biodiversity line… absolute lies… what do our politicians say ? Nothing that I can see !

a neighbour decided today to cut all of the ones around here, fair play…

what next, street light blows, the residents association will have to engage a private company to come and replace the bulb…or shimmy up a ladder themselves ? Maybe the environment can be used to excuse away the DCC responsibility for doing that ….don’t want to send a crew in a polluter of a vehicle….

if the DCC are pulling services, yet charging for them… no reduction in LPT…what are they doing with the money they are saving…. Which must be significant… man hours, vehicles, diesel, parts / maintenance ? 👀

Nigzcurran · 11-08-2023 07:17PM

Yep I've had to resort to cutting all the grass verges in our estate as fingal County Council have obviously better things to be doing with their time, they still put their hand out for my property tax every year though

kennethsmyth · 11-08-2023 07:28PM

Want to add that the verges (not the hedgerows) are not being cut on country type roads also. To the point its becoming dangerous for anyone walking or cycling with vicious brambles pointing out onto the road pushing you further out. They need to address this, 1 foot of cutting would not affect the bio diversity. What happens if someone is injured?

Podge_irl · 11-08-2023 07:30PM

While I'm sure they allow things to get out of hand, the verge in the picture looks absolutely fine. Its not encroaching on the path and is a good meadow.

prunudo · 11-08-2023 08:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120966868#Comment_120966868

Thats the right way to do it, cut the verges and let the larger areas grow wild. Be nice if they decided to plant more trees in this large open areas, now that would really help with biodiversity. Trees, not weeds.

Gatling · 11-08-2023 09:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120966859#Comment_120966859

Solution ...

Drive

prunudo · 11-08-2023 09:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120966859#Comment_120966859

Agree, and contrary to popular belief, i think animals may be smarter than humans, because they tend to nest in the centre or field side of the hedge, not on the side that is close to traffic whizzing by at up to 80kph.

ballyharpat · 11-08-2023 09:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120967118#Comment_120967118

https://www.brightseeds.co.uk/article/23-carbon-offsetting-with-wildflowers-

It got me curious, so i did a small search we started a garden this year, and kept it to a minimum, keeping as much area wild as we could-that includes nettles, and other kinds of 'weeds', they attract a lot of caterpillars/butterflies, and even what we consider weeds , attract an awful lot of bees. To top it off, we have the article above.

The edges should definitely be cut for safety and a better/cleaner look imo

honestly, I do not see the fascination with big green lawns and weedkiller and cutting them every week-different if you use the area for kids/bbq/picnic, or something-most people don't

prunudo · 11-08-2023 09:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120967406#Comment_120967406

Yeah, I suppose to be fair weeds is a bit of a bad catch all term. Wild flowers aren't a problem, its when areas become over grown with gorse and briars that it starts getting out of hand.

DAngelo Bailey · 11-08-2023 10:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058308946/dcc-no-longer-cutting-grass-verges-reasoning-biodiversity

You've little to be worried about.

magicbastarder · 11-08-2023 10:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120966859#Comment_120966859

it's always been like that though, this is not new. i've been cycling the roads of north county dublin for years and it's always been this time of year you've to watch for brambles and other plants encroaching into the road.

Mo Ghile Mear · 11-08-2023 10:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120966859#Comment_120966859

Huge problem out my way.... you'd be taking your life in your hands walking and cycling. Even driving isn't safe as people are driving on the middle of narrow roads to avoid the verges and visibility is badly affected. Tall weeds and grass and briars hanging out over the road 😕.

AllForIt · 12-08-2023 12:03PM

This term 'biodiversity' has been getting on my wick lately and I think I now know why after reading this: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/12/what-is-biodiversity-and-why-does-it-matter-to-us

It's basically a made up word that don't really mean anything. Well, it doesn't mean anything new, it's just referring to organic life and we kinda knew we had that on the planet already, we don't need a new term for it.

Nigzcurran · 12-08-2023 12:09PM

I think the planned flower beds full of colour alongside the roads are a great idea but the wild uncut grass verges don't seem to serve any purpose except looking shite

AllForIt · 12-08-2023 12:10PM

This term 'biodiversity' has been getting on my wick lately and I think I now know why after reading this: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/12/what-is-biodiversity-and-why-does-it-matter-to-us

It's basically a made up word that don't really mean anything. Well, it doesn't mean anything new, it's just referring to organic life and we kinda knew we had that on the planet already, we don't need a new term for that.

I think I'll just read it as specifically meaning weeds from now on, at least then it will make some sense.

Flinty997 · 12-08-2023 12:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120968857#Comment_120968857

Did you read past the first paragraph?

All words are made up.

Atlantic Dawn · 12-08-2023 12:44PM

FCC are no longer clearing road drains, there's grass growing up over surface level of some I pass every day, must be frogs or some long lost protected snails they are leaving be. You have to laugh when the same road floods and the first thing they will cough up as the cause is climate change and not their own gross incompetence. I remember growing up as a kid around every August/September all the drains would be opened and debris removed from them, this doesn't happen any more.

AllForIt · 12-08-2023 12:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120968944#Comment_120968944

I find it very hard to read past the first paragraph of a Guardian article.

Flinty997 · 12-08-2023 01:09PM

There's is one thing about local authorities not doing basic maintenance as cost saving etc. That's valid criticism.

But we have a ecological and biodiversity crisis going on in Ireland. It's happening even people want to sleep though it.

Flinty997 · 12-08-2023 01:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120968849#Comment_120968849

There's a bit purpose to it than adding a bit of colour.

They can still maintain it so its not a hazard. There's been some examples earlier where a good compromise was implemented.

magicbastarder · 12-08-2023 01:58PM

This term 'biodiversity' has been getting on my wick lately and I think I now know why after reading this: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/12/what-is-biodiversity-and-why-does-it-matter-to-us

It's basically a made up word that don't really mean anything. Well, it doesn't mean anything new, it's just referring to organic life and we kinda knew we had that on the planet already, we don't need a new term for that.

I think I'll just read it as specifically meaning weeds from now on, at least then it will make some sense.

'i have read what biodiversity is but I shall continue to use my own inaccurate description because ignorance, after all, is bliss'.

EDIT: apologies - i originally quoted the wrong post! i had intended to quote the one that is now quoted (lest Atlantic Dawn was wondering why i was quoting them originally)

pixelburp · 12-08-2023 02:41PM

I like the wild areas: lots of gorgeous flowers when they're in bloom and watching our kids be fascinated by them & the bees and pollinators is a rewarding, sweet experience. Yeah sometimes they are a little TOO neglected and the nettles or brambles can be a problem with the younger ones - but the reality is we need to stop destroying our ecosystems and habitats.

Now. Next they can start planting some more trees along footpaths: cos if heat waves and climate collapse is coming all these bare, concrete (sub)urban paths are a nightmare on a hot day. Trees will add natural shade - while also helping restore and maintain our ecosystem.

newmember2 · 12-08-2023 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058308946/dcc-no-longer-cutting-grass-verges-reasoning-biodiversity

"I’d not heard about this but had noticed everywhere in the road / area the verges that used to be perfectly manicured and trimmed, were completely overgrown, ugly,..."

You have it backwards, it's the concrete and tarmac that is ugly. Manicured lawns are part of our bourgeoisie past!! :pac

SortingYouOut · 12-08-2023 03:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120968857#Comment_120968857

It's basically a made up word that don't really mean anything. Well, it doesn't mean anything new, it's just referring to organic life and we kinda knew we had that on the planet already, we don't need a new term for that.

That isn't what biodiversity means and i've been hearing the word since primary school (in my 30's now).

ZookeeperDub · 12-08-2023 04:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120966859#Comment_120966859

The hedgerows are not cut during this period and its like that for years because of nesting birds etc. Has been like that for many years and guidelines below which people are supposed to adhere to on roads etc

"vicious brambles" won't be able to grow to be an issue in the short space of time

1ft cuts the top off the flowers etc so yes it does.

This thread seems like someone has found something new to moan about. People love to moan these days

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/db268-reminder-in-relation-to-hedge-cutting-in-2021/#:~:text=While%20generally%2C%20hedge%20cutting%20and,any%20time%20of%20the%20year.

While generally, hedge cutting and the clearance of vegetation is restricted to the 6 month period September to February, it is important to point out that the legislation allows both landowners and public authorities to address hedges for road safety reasons at any time of the year.

pixelburp · 12-08-2023 04:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120969530#Comment_120969530

Wild areas of growth are wonderful and beautiful when they bloom, and nothing more miserable than short, scabby grass with no features; not to mention the white shiny concrete now blinding you in summer as you traipse along unsheltered paths. Not sure if it's just cos it's fresh but seems like concrete these days is lighter than before?

ZookeeperDub · 12-08-2023 04:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120969819#Comment_120969819

No the newer concrete paths these days use a lighter colour, I guess this is to make it brighter and more attractive.

pixelburp · 12-08-2023 04:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120969850#Comment_120969850

Not my imagination then. Retroactively terrible decision in this increasingly hotter, brighter climate as the concrete reflects all the daylight back at you.

magicbastarder · 12-08-2023 07:04PM

is it not just that it's not had time to weather and age?

mickdw · 12-08-2023 07:33PM

Councils let everything grow out of control for ... biodiversity.

Out of control areas catch fire..... climate change.... sure look at the all the red on the map.

Seth Brundle · 12-08-2023 07:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120970459#Comment_120970459

FFS you're really stretching reality there now!

DCC no longer cutting grass verges, reasoning…..biodiversity.

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