Fallen Trees Block Kayaks on Owenabue River from Ballinhassig to Carrigaline

Writes Leo McMahon

Landowners must take responsibility.  That was the message from members and officials of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD) at their monthly meeting when referring to falling trees along the Owenabue River from Ballinhassig to Carrigaline, in the Crosshaven area and other parts of the MD.

Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF) had a motion seeking clarification as to who holds responsibility for maintenance and management of trees along the river. Referring to Ballea Road near Carrigaline, she asked the council to assess their condition and take appropriate action to cut back overgrown sections where necessary, while ensuring the protection and stability of the river bank. She acknowledged that to enter and carry out works in the river would require consultation with the Local Authority Waters Programme organisation (LAWPRO).

Cllr Patrick Donovan (FF) had a motion requesting the MD to seek funding to clear the Owenabue River from Ballinhassig to Carrigaline town as there were several fallen trees. At some points, there was no natural way for the trees to be naturally removed and this could eventually increase the risk of flooding in Ballinhassig, Ballygarvan and Carrigaline.

No way through for kayaks on this scenic section of the Owenabue River alongside Ballea Road, Carrigaline

In reply to both, acting senior executive engineer Alan Cogan reported: ‘Riparian landowners are responsible for maintaining the watercourse so that the normal flow is not impeded by trees. As such, each landowner, whose land adjoins the river, should ensure that vegetation emanating from their lands does not restrict or impede flow. Landowners also have a responsibility to ensure the integrity of trees growing on their lands’.

When driving along the Ballea Road a few weeks ago, the river was overflowing and there was a lot of debris in the river.  While accepting there were restrictions on actually going into a river to take action, she was concerned that material needed removing from near the bridge and wished to know where responsibility lay for doing this with a view to the council working with landowners, said Cllr Buckley.

Mr Cogan said he didn’t regard the trees on the roadside being an issue. It was on the other side. Speaking generally, the council could remind landowners of their responsibility and there was a public notice in the Press annually about this and their duties on hedge cutting.

Cllr Donovan said he received correspondence from a kayak group who started on the Owenabue River at Ballinhassig but had to come ashore downstream towards Carrigaline at two points because they were blocked by fallen trees.  It was a fantastic amenity to have and it should be utilised. 

He continued that he would welcome landowners being written to because there were a lot tree trunks when he drove near Ballea Bridge the day before the MD meeting and with more falls and silt, the situation would only get worse with more reports about roads getting flooded coming into the area office.

Crosshaven Road

Twice in the weekend prior to the meeting, said Cllr Buckley, branches fell from trees along the R612 Crosshaven Road.  The council had to call out a contractor and the fire brigade also visited the scenes and all of this being paid by the taxpayer.  Cllr Donovan also reported a tree fall on the main road to Fountainstown.

Speaking generally, Cllr Buckley said the council would simply have to start charging landowners for cutting back overgrowth or removing debris because they had a responsibility.

Cllr Jack White (FG) supported both motions, noting that the blockages for kayakers on the Owenabue River were quite stark.  He suggested the MD write to the Office for Public Works (OPW) as he had already done, to get their position as the body responsible for rivers .

An cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) said landowners were responsible for roadside trees and hedges and the council was responsible for verges and roads. He asked if the council had the power to send bills to landowners when trees fell and there was a cost to the council in dealing with this.

Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) noted that at a meeting of the Southern Committee the same day, members were told the council wasn’t billing landowners.      

Speaking generally, director of services Sharon Corcoran felt there was need first for the council to send a notice to a landowner to do the work, pointing out that a bill would be sent if the local authority ended up having to do it.  She suggested the MD get legal advice because there was a process.  It had to be done the right way first because once done, it would set a precedent.

Cllr Donovan believed billing landowners going through the correct process would be a massive deterrent.

Councillors agreed with Ms Corcoran.  When it came to river situations, Mr Cogan said correspondence would issue from the county engineer’s section. In response to the kayakers concerns, the section had been asked to correspond with the relevant landowners to clear the obstructions. Both motions were adopted.