As trees remain precarious along a number of major roads in the region in the aftermath of recent storms, a new committee to deal with tree cutting along the roads in the county met this week in Castlebar.

The group initiated by elected members of Mayo county council, invited a range of groups and government departments to attend. However, two key groups failed to attend, including any representative from the dept of agriculture or a representative from the National Parks and Wildlife.

In addition to the storm damage, many rural roads are in a dangerous condition as trees and bushes are growing out over the roadside causing a safety risk to drivers and often damaging mirrors on larger vehicles.

Earlier this week, Charlestown based Sinn Fein Cllr Gerry Murray called for an audit by the TII and Mayo County Council of all precarious trees along major routes. He identified tress along the N17 that are in a particularly dangerous condition after storm Eleanor.

Independent councillor Michael Holmes has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Tree Cutting Committee.