Judging by recent comments on Streetlife about hedges overhanging pavements, I believe many will support my request to have our footpaths returned to us.
If you go for a walk in the evening with a friend, dog or children, you will come across obstacles. Plants escaping from peoples’ front gardens will make your trip hazardous.
Hedges
First there is the overgrown hedge, usually Leylandii (Cupressus leylandii) which can grow up to 40 meter tall. These plants are ideal for providing a hedge and privacy quickly but they do not stop growing. They get taller and wider and spread over the footpath, forcing you to walk on the grass verge or in the gutter.
If you have a pushchair or wheelchair, progress becomes very difficult. These tress cause so many problems and disputes that they can be subject to antisocial behaviour legislation.
Shrubs
C leylandii are not the only problem.
At this time of year roses, brambles and other shrubs grew out stems very quickly. Many are thorny and catch you round the ankles or even across the face. In the evening light they are difficult to see.
After rain, stems are bowed down but the weight of water droplets. You get a wet slap across the face from them or even a poke in the eye.
Bins
Plants are not the only problem. We are required to put our bins out every week. No matter how neatly you line them up, the bin men sometimes leave them as scattered obstructions.
I used to live in a place where we could not go out with the pushchair on bin day. Then there are street lamps and traffic signs sometimes sited in the centre of the pathway.
Why keep an open view of your house?
My preference is for an open view of the house. If burglars can get their cars behind your front hedge, nobody sees them loading up your TV, computer and safe.
If the view is open, your neighbours can keep an eye out for you.
Read this post about Chandler’s Ford Policing: Burglaries and Traffic Problems.
A plea
This is a plea to householders to check their front borders and cut back where necessary. If there is a particular problem in your neighbourhood, you can report it to Hampshire County Council, who will write to the owner of the property.
There is no excuse for causing an obstruction. Some argue that birds are not yet fledged. Well, they mostly are by this time of the year. If you can see a nest in use, delay the cut until the autumn.
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Many thanks for the post, Mike. Walking the dog makes you very aware of what hedges desperately need cutting back.
Perhaps we should take a few photos when we are out and about and post them here to prick people’s consciences!
Last year when I was on crutches I had to walk in the road at one point to avoid a massively overgrown hedge combined with a tasteful ‘bramble arch’ – all cleared now I ‘m glad to say!
From Eastleigh Borough Council:
EBC are correct Hampshire County Council as the Highway Authority are the only ones with the legal powers to enforce action where vegetation is obstructing pavements etc.
Unless the legal position has changed very recently, if problems are reported to HCC they can write to the owner asking for the offending vegetation to be cut back/removed. They have to allow reasonable time for the work to take place (around 6 weeks), before they have the power to have the work done at the owners’ cost.
Thank you Councillor Alan Broadhurst. Six weeks seems a rather long time to trim a few trees.
Totally agree, I was only explaining the normal procedure!!