Overhanging Vegetation in Compton Martin
It’s that time of year again, when the Parish Council check signage, pavements and roads, to ensure they are clear and safe for pedestrians and drivers. After a full summer of growth most of the local agricultural and residential hedges have already been cut, but some footpaths and lanes around the village have become overhung with hedges, shrubs, brambles etc spilling out onto the pavement or on the road/lanes.
We are kindly asking the land and home owners to check and if needed cut back the shrubs and hedges that are hanging over into the footpaths and roads. It’ll help passers by navigate the pavement safely and giving drivers on roads and lanes as much visibility as possible especially as the nights draw in.
I am copying a brief extracts from the Bath & North East Somerset Council’s website regarding overhanging vegetation and an extract from the RSPB’s website covering the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981.
Extracts from the Bath & North East Somerset Council’s website:
- Hedges and trees that grow on the boundary of the highway are generally the responsibility of the adjoining property or land owner. This includes vegetation that causes an obstruction on adopted footways and highways or vegetation that reduces visibility on junctions, entrances and corners.
- In the event that the landowner does not remove the obstruction the Parish Council will inform Bath & North East Somerset Council who may well remedy the problem and recharge the landowner.
Extracts from RSPB’s website:
It is recommended that the cutting of hedges and trees is avoided between March and August as this is the main breeding season for nesting birds. It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.