CARE OF FRONTAGE
Each resident has the obligation to keep their hedges and verges cut back and tidy in accordance with the Highways Act.
Obligation of Care of Road Frontage
The roads must not be obstructed in accordance with the Highways Act. This includes members’ frontages where hedges must be regularly cut back. Verges must also be maintained properly and not be allowed to become impassable as they are part of the highway and a refuge for pedestrians. Verges must never be obstructed by parked vehicles either.
Although the Highways Act 1980 doesn’t specify any actual measurements for overhanging vegetation, the requirement should be met by:
-
For pedestrian areas, minimum headroom of 2.3m (7ft 6 inches).
-
For carriageway and an area immediately adjacent to it (for a distance of 0.45m (1ft 6 inches)) minimum headroom of 5.2m (17ft).
In both cases, all the vegetation should be cut back vertically. For further guidance, please see here. Additional links from the government with advice on hedging and how to complain about high hedges.
Please remember that Welcomes Road in particular is a footpath and perhaps more like a country lane rather than an urban thoroughfare. Drainage can be poor so please ensure that the roadway at the front of each house is kept clear.
