Overhanging hedges and trees
- Q: Who cuts back overhanging hedges?
- Q: What about tree branches overhanging the highways?
- Q: What happens if the landowner doesn't take any action?
- Q: When hedges are trimmed, very often the trimmings get left all over the road. Who is responsible for clearing up the mess?
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Q: Who cuts back overhanging hedges?
A: It is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of any land or property to ensure that the frontage hedge or other vegetation growing on their land does not impede passage along the highway, which includes the carriageway, footpath and verge. Hedges should be cut back to the boundary or vertically above the rear of the footpath for a clear height of 2.2 metres
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Q: What about tree branches overhanging the highways?
A: Trees should be cut back to at least 500mm behind the kerb line to a clear height of 5.2 metres above the carriageway on minor roads and 6.6 metres on main roads. The county council is responsible only for trees and hedges on land that has been officially adopted or purchased for highway improvements.
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Q: What happens if the landowner doesn't take any action?
A: Where problems are identified, a letter will be sent from the Highways Operations office. If the landowner does not take action within a reasonable time, the Dorset County Council legal department will send a formal notice under sections 136 or 154 of the Highways Act 1980. Failure to comply with the notice will result in the work being arranged by Dorset County Council and the cost recovered from the landowner. This process can take as much as six months to complete.
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Q: When hedges are trimmed, very often the trimmings get left all over the road. Who is responsible for clearing up the mess?
A: The person who has cut the hedge.
