Hedges and pavements
The recent warm weather has given many plants a much needed growth spurt. However, as a result in a few places hedges and weeds are starting to encroach into pavements, and the visibility splays at junctions.
For the benefit of other residents, we'd appreciate people checking whether their frontage would benefit from a quick trim.
The Highways Act 1980, section 154, creates a legal obligation for the owner or occupier of a property to ensure that the 'public highway' adjacent to their property is not obstructed by vegetation from their property. A 'public highway' means any verge, footway, carriageway, bridleway or footpath that is maintained at public expense and over which the public has a right of way.
As a guide, hedges/trees should be no lower than 7ft 6" over a pavement, and no lower than 17ft over a road.
The Parish Council's contractor will be cutting the hedges that the Parish Council maintains on their next visit to the village (within the next 2 weeks).
We are aware that some confusion exists around the legality and probity of cutting hedges during the bird nesting season. It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. As such, it is generally recommended to avoid cutting hedges where feasible during the peak nesting season of March – August. Whilst it is best to defer significant pruning until outside the nesting season, it is not illegal to trim hedges during this time, providing reasonable steps are taken to check that a birds nest will not be damaged or destroyed.