Roundabouts to remain overgrown until 'priority' verge cutting completed

OVERGROWN roundabouts in Omagh will not be tended to until grass verges are cut first, the Department for Infrastructure have confirmed.

According to a spokesperson, roundabouts such as the Derry Road, which have been in an overgrown condition all summer, are of a lesser priority than local road verges, which are currently being tended to by department staff.

This is despite criticisms aired about the unsightly nature of the town's roundabouts, as well as safety concerns from motorists regarding poor visibility.

A DfI spokesperson said: “Priority is currently being given to those areas within the urban/rural environment where road safety is of paramount importance before progressing to those roads deemed to be of lesser risk.

"The first cut of rural and urban verge maintenance is near completion and we will then commence maintenance to the roundabouts."

In July, local people took matters into their own hands and cleared an overgrown roundabout situated at Campsie, Omagh. To date, this remains the only roundabout where grass cutting and maintenance has taken place over the summer period.

According to DfI, it is responsible for the maintenance of the public road network and annually cuts about 45,000km of grass verges.

The spokesperson continued: "We are committed to protecting wildlife and promoting biodiversity when managing roadside verges and our approach aims to maintain the right balance between road safety and the control of grass and weeds while achieving a greater focus on environmental protection.

“For further details or to report problem with grass verges, hedges or trees the public should visit https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/

roadside-grass-cutting-weeds-and-

overgrown-hedges-or-trees”