The problem of removing hazardous trees from the roadside affects all communities in Ukraine. Green spaces within the right-of-way form part of the motorway and are the responsibility of the balance holder in terms of maintenance and safety. However, it is currently impossible to carry out this work legally.

Following the adoption of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 483 on 12 May 2023, a legal conflict arose. The document introduced a pilot project for issuing logging permits electronically, but only granted the right to obtain them to permanent forest users. Road balance holders are not included in this list.

Consequently, communities and administrations responsible for maintaining safe roads do not have the legal means to promptly remove deadwood and hazardous trees. This creates critical risks, ranging from road accidents and power line breaks to preventing ambulances or fire engines from accessing roads in an emergency.

The Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities emphasises that, to resolve the situation, Resolution No. 1239 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, dated 25 October 2024, must be amended, which would:

• define a clear procedure for logging within the right-of-way of local public roads;
• grant road balance holders the right to obtain logging permits;
• remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers to the performance of emergency work.

‘Today, communities find themselves responsible for maintaining roads, yet lacking the legal tools to eliminate hazards. This issue cannot be postponed – every dangerous tree along the road poses a potential risk of tragedy. The state must empower those who are responsible for the roads on a daily basis,’ emphasised Serhii Sharshov, Deputy Executive Director of the All-Ukrainian Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities.

The Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities is calling on the Government to resolve the legal conflict as soon as possible. This would enable communities and road maintenance authorities to respond to threats promptly and effectively, ensuring the safe operation of road infrastructure.