Keep Pavements Clear – Please Maintain Your Boundary Hedges 

The Parish Council has recently received a number of concerns about hedges and greenery in our community, particularly where they are spilling onto pavements, walkways, and road edges. We would like to remind all residents that if you have a hedge forming the boundary of your property, it is your responsibility to make sure it is well maintained and not causing an obstruction. 

Well-kept hedges don’t just make our streets look tidier – they play an important role in keeping everyone safe. When hedges and shrubs grow too far out, they can force pedestrians to step into the road, obscure sight lines for drivers, and even block safe access for people with pushchairs, wheelchairs, or mobility scooters. Brambles are especially troublesome at this time of year, with thorny overgrowth presenting both a nuisance and a hazard. 

We are also aware of hedges that have been cut back at ground level but left to grow outwards higher up. This means that while there may be room for feet on the pavement, there isn’t sufficient space at shoulder or head height, forcing pedestrians to duck or step aside. To avoid this, we ask that residents trim their boundary hedges right back to the inside edge of the pavement and to a clear height of at least two metres. This ensures the full width and height of the footpath remains accessible to everyone. 

It’s equally important to check that overgrowth from gardens – particularly brambles or climbing plants – is not hanging over fences and creating hazards along walkways. Even small encroachments can make life difficult, especially for those with limited mobility. 

Where overgrown hedging is not the responsibility of a household but lies with landowners or the Highways authority, the Parish Council continues to raise concerns and press for action. However, we also rely on your help. If, while walking around the Parish, you notice hedging or greenery that is causing an obstruction but is not the responsibility of a resident, please report it to us at clerk@westmonktonparishcouncil.gov.uk so it can be followed up. 

By keeping our hedges neat and trimmed, we can all help make our Parish a safer, more pleasant place to live and travel through. Thank you for doing your part. 

Please Note = photos used are stock image examples to illustrate issues in the Parish.