‘Cut It Back’ safety warning over hedges and trees

East Sussex County Council is urging landowners who are responsible for hedges and trees which overhang roads and pavements to ‘cut it back’.

The local authority has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of overhanging vegetation.

It says overgrown trees and hedges can force people – particularly wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs – into the road, putting their safety at risk.

Meanwhile vegetation which overhangs roads can cause a danger to motorists, especially to drivers of high-sided vehicles such as lorries or buses.

The ‘Cut It Back’ campaign, being promoted through posters and social media, aims to raise awareness of the fact that maintenance of trees and hedges growing on private land is the responsibility of the property or landowner.

Roger Williams (pictured), East Sussex County Council head of highways, said: “Overhanging trees and hedges which are not properly maintained can cause a real danger to pedestrians and motorists.

“People who have property bordering the road or footway may not realise it’s their responsibility to ensure vegetation is not causing a danger or obstruction, or blocking off light from a street lamp. We would strongly encourage people to maintain their trees and hedges responsibly and to inspect them regularly during the growing season.”