Overgrown Hedges impeding pavements and walkways – residents urged to take action

Following several concerns that have been raised with the Parish Council about the condition of some of the hedges in the Parish we are writing to remind residents that it is imperative that where home owners have a boundary hedge that they are responsible for, these are kept clipped and tidy.

Many boundary hedges belonging to residents border pedestrian pavements and walkways, or directly face roadways. Overgrown hedges not only pose a problem for pedestrians, who may be forced into the road to pass, but can also impede driving sight lines. Overgrown hedging can be particularly dangerous at this time of year where thick brambles are prevalent.

There are also hedges where residents have done some cutting back, but not to a width or head height to allow pedestrians to safely pass by. Residents with responsibility for a boundary hedge should keep then trimmed back vertically from the inside edge of the path to a height of at least 2 metres.  There are many incidences around our Parish where paths and pavements have ample clearance at ground level but effectively only half that, or often less, at head height as the hedge bulges out.

Residents who have gardens bordering footpaths and walkways are also urged to ensure that overgrowth from their properties do not hang over fencing and obstruct pedestrians – again this is most prevalent with bramble overgrowth.

Where overgrown and obstructive boundary hedging is not the responsibility of individual households, the Parish Council continue to put pressure on landowners and Highways to ensure these are dealt with – on your travels around the Parish, should you see overgrown and obstructive hedging that is not the responsibility of individual households, please do report these via clerk@westmonktonparishcouncil.gov.uk.

(photos used as stock image examples to illustrate issues in the Parish)

Many Thanks