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A reminder from Chirbury with Brompton Parish Council

OVERANGING HEDGES TO PUBLIC HIGHWAYS

The public highway consists of any verge, pavement, road, bridleway or public footpath,

whether or not it is maintained at public expense and over which the public has a right of way

Where an overhanging hedge interferes with safe use of a public highway,

it is the owner's responsibility to cut it back

Under the Highways Act, roadside hedges are the responsibility of the landowner who has to:

• prevent the hedge from overhanging the highway
• prevent hedges from obscuring streetlights and road signs
• clear the road of debris after hedges have been cut
• meet the obligations of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 ensuring that nesting birds, bats and dormice are protected

Trimming should not take place during the main bird breeding season

 Which is 1 March to 31 August inclusive

   Unless, it is unavoidable for the safe use of a public highway

It is recommended that  trimming hedgerows in January and February ensures that

 nuts and berries are available for birds and other wildlife.