Lineside vegetation question

[1752 to Drogheda]

Can anyone clarify the situation with regard to clearing vegetation growing from properties adjoining tracks?

I know that IE clear back regular bush & shrub growth each year to reduce the risk of damage or incident to trains and occasionally come along with heavier equipment to cut back large branches & trunks which have grown over the years. What's the story where there's overhanging growth which doesn't pose a direct risk to trains in normal operation but where *removal* of the growth poses a risk?

For example, say there's a tree growing in my garden and branches come out onto the lineside. I can cut the branches on my side no problem, but for removal of the entire tree I need to cut and remove the branches from the track side. Take it for granted that I have good intentions on the H&S front, and no intention to do anything dodgy. I don't plan on doing anything without getting in touch with IE first.

Is it normal for IE to handle the work on their side in cooperation with the adjoining property owner, or is it down to the property owner to arrange the work on the track side? I imagine it must be pretty hard in these situations - how do you go about locating a tree surgeon with the necessary trackside operations safety permits, etc . . .

I'm hoping that IE normally take care of their side, but I wanted to check first.

Thanks,

1752.

[Mark Gleeson]

IE have the legal power to cut down any tree on any land which is a risk. Its their problem to keep an eye on it.

If its at a point where you are concerned form a safety point of view you need to contact the local district engineer, let us know where you are and we can turn up the number

[Thomas J Stamp]

if you imagine a line going up into the air from your fence, IE can cut anything going over that line.

if your tree is such a hazard that it needs removing, so long as the trunk is in your garden/land, you can easily deal with it without going near your neighbours, and if you cant, a good landscaping company certainly can.

[1752 to Drogheda]

Hmm, maybe I wasn't clear. I know they can and do cut anything they want. In this case they don't want to cut stuff, I do.

As it stands the tree isn't a hazard to the line any more than the thousands of other trees in the vicinity of railways in Ireland.

However I want to remove it at some point in the future. The process of removing it may cause a hazard to the rail line as there is no easy way to do it without the risk of impacting the lineside.

By way of example, imagine someone with a house that backs on to the DART in the Sydney Parade/Sandymount area who wants to take down a tree at the end of their garden. Is it reasonable to expect or hope that IE would come along by arrangement with their equipment and do what they do every year anyway (give the tree a trim from their side) in advance of the house owner taking down their tree? It would make life simpler for all involved and it seems reasonable to me. I guess I'm just wondering if this actually happens.

1752.

[Mark Gleeson]

If the tree is flagged as dangerous, regardless of the side of the fence IE will chop at their cost and remove

If it is of operational benefit to IE to chop, i.e. leaf fall issue, visibility of signals etc IE will chop at their cost and remove.

If you just want rid of the tree since its blocking the sunshine say, its all your problem and it gets messy with IE as you are legally obliged to notify them.

With a bit of luck the district engineer will be opportunistic and grab the chance to get rid of a tree as normally there can be lots of hassle when IE force removal of trees, much easier if you want rid of it too.

Read this http://www.rsc.ie/publications/third-party-guidelines-on-railway-risk/ and note the tree felling here http://www.rsc.ie/download/pdf/rscg011a.pdf

[1752 to Drogheda]

Great, thanks for the links.

1752

[Thomas J Stamp]

However I want to remove it at some point in the future. The process of removing it may cause a hazard to the rail line as there is no easy way to do it without the risk of impacting the lineside.



its actually very easy using ropes, gearing, a saw and a bottle of roundup.

[1752 to Drogheda]

"its actually very easy using ropes, gearing, a saw and a bottle of roundup" said the engineer to the rail safety investigation officer following the unfortunate derailing of the 1752 to Drogheda by fallen debris.

1752.

[Thomas J Stamp]

you wouldnt have fallen debris on the track if you knew what you were doing. its a tree, not a meringue.

i'm really enjoying your saga. can you post pics of said tree?

[Jack Funk]

Do what Mark has said!I have a mate who's an engineer and he concurred with what Mark has posted--Get in touch with the Regional Manager for the area and he will get a member of his staff to take a look. What I was told was that if there is even the slightest element of danger from this tree now or in the future the Railway will remove it. He said they are based in Pearse Station.
If you do what Thomas says you will end up before a Judge!

A word to the wise I was told by my mate to treat any work like that is "on or near the line like it could cause a danger to passing traffic or the overheads"
Best of luck!

[Thomas J Stamp]

Do what Mark has said!I have a mate who's an engineer and he concurred with what Mark has posted--Get in touch with the Regional Manager for the area and he will get a member of his staff to take a look. What I was told was that if there is even the slightest element of danger from this tree now or in the future the Railway will remove it. He said they are based in Pearse Station.
If you do what Thomas says you will end up before a Judge!

A word to the wise I was told by my mate to treat any work like that is "on or near the line like it could cause a danger to passing traffic or the overheads"
Best of luck!

without seeing said tree i'll take my chances. Course, if he makes a total balls of it then thats down to him.

You would swear i didnt live right beside the dublin cork mainline where there are literally thousands of trees whenever i look outside my window and where i see what happens every single felling season.