Overgrown hedges (allegedly..)

Ramouth

I would just do it.  Much easier job if you keep on top of it so that the branches don’t get too thick.

Having used an electric hedge trimmer for the first time this year I couldn’t recommend it enough.  Turns a two day job into a two hour job!

Greatgimp

It amuse me how people plant hedges and trees within inches of their boundary and expect the plants not to grow sideways and outwards, only up and towards their own property!

McKneff

My hubby uses a white stick in his right hand  I guide him by his left arm. 
Could both of us get by your foliage with ease 

TBagpuss

As others have said, assuming that the path is a public right of way you have a legal obligation to ensure that it is kept clear of obstructions, including overgrown vegetation. 

So, think about whether it does cause an obstructions - could someone using a wheelchair or mobility scooter, someone pushing a double-buggy, a person  with a guide-dog, or two people walking abreast pass easily without the hedge getting in their way or forcing them off the path? If not, you need to trim it back. 

S130 of the Highways Act places as duty on the council to ensure that paths are not obstructed, so they are doing the right thing in raising it with you, and have powers to enforce action if you ignore them. 

davilown

Running along the pavement where there are overgrown hedges is dangerous, especially in the dark/shaded from the street lights.
Council has asked you to cut it back normally means that they think it’s too far over the path.
if you don’t cut it, they will and they’ll charge you for it.
As for why the council have come round, it’s probably because someone has complained that the hedge is overhanging too much.

deannagone

Hmm.., you might not care but pedestrians might.  Someone with a pushchair may need more space than you realise.., a wheelchair with someone walking alongside.  Two people walking together. Me with my wobbly walking and a surprisingly large shopping trolley I have problems wielding safely (I tend to underestimate how much space it takes up) - but no other way of getting shopping home once off the bus.

Is it really that much effort to trim the hedge?  I'm don't really see the difficulty in doing it 'just in case' people ARE having difficulty.  Far less trouble than dealing with the council person who clearly likes to ask people to do things they don't have to do rather than just walk along lol.  Or you could think maybe he has a point, I'll err on the side of caution and trim that hedge, will only take half an hour.  

lookstraightahead

How do blind people deal with knowing whether there are any branches sticking out? My uncle got thorns in his face once where a hedge hadn't been maintained.

another_casualty

Any pictures ? 

peterhjohnson

Jumblebumble said:

No you don't need to cut it
However if you don't the council may do it themselves and then send you the bill

Interesting. The houses in my street back onto another road. A bank runs down from our back fences to the pavement. A few of the houses have cultivated the bank. Others where the bank is actually a vertical wall can't. There is about 1m of bank between my back fence and the pavement.

 I've never thought of that strip as being mine and it's grown some bushes. A few month ago, someone (presumably the Council) cut them down to the ground. They didn't contact us or send a bill :-)

theoretica

The other thing to keep in mind is that this is a good pruning season, so hedges should be further back now to allow for growing during spring and summer.  A hedge which is just OK now, depending on what it is, may become a problem in the season when nesting birds - and plant health - make trimming a less good idea.