Concern of the Week: Overgrown Hedges

We have not only been approached by a number of residents regarding the obstruction of pavements by overgrown hedges and vegetation but this issue was also raised at Monday's July Meeting of the Parish Council.

Presumably the combination of heat, humidity and previous rainfall have combined to cause more than proportional growth of our hedges!

Overgrown vegetation which obstructs a pavement is the responsibility of the owner of the land upon which the vegetation is situated and that owner has a legal obligation to keep vegetation from encroaching on the highway.

Local Councils may serve a 'hedge cutting notice' which states that the trees or hedges need to be cut back within 28 days. If the landowner fails to do this, the notice may be enforceable in court.

So a plea, from those walkers who enjoy strolling around our village, from parents with buggies and young children, from members of our community who rely on mobility vehicles, from dogwalkers and more -- please make an effort to get Tattenhall hedges back in order. Having to physically step off the pavement to avoid vegetation (particularly in some areas of the village and on blind bends) is a 'step' too far.