OVERHANGING HEDGES TO PUBLIC HIGHWAYS

The public highway consists of any verge, pavement, road, bridleway or public footpath whether or not 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 street lights 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.

It is recommend trimming hedges in January and February to ensure that nuts and berries are available for birds and other wildlife. Trimming should not take place during the main bird breeding season of March to July unless it is unavoidable for the safe use of a public highway.