Hedgerow environmental plea

Fri, 17 May 2019

People are being reminded not to cut back hedgerows and grass verges until the end of August.

The Isle of Man Government say they’re important refuges for wildlife.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says that birds, their eggs and chicks, are legally protected.

Hedgerows should be checked for nesting birds prior to cutting. If nests are present, guidance from the Ecosystem Policy Team at DEFA should be sought prior to any work taking place.

The Department of Infrastructure has been undertaking a programme of hedge trimming in preparation for the TT festival.

The main reason for this work is road safety due to the increased volume of traffic on Manx roads, particularly in areas where people will park and where barriers and cones may narrow the road.

Trimming is always kept to a minimum in order to limit the impact on plants and habitat.