Residents in North Yorkshire are being told that letting hedges or trees on their property get overgrown could be putting pedestrians and road users at risk.
There’s been a significant increase in the number of reports of pavements being obstructed and road signs obscured. People walking past can also be forced into the road to get around problems.
The local authority is responsible for making sure trees and hedges don’t obstruct the highway or damage property.
Landowners and occupiers have similar responsibilities for trees and hedges on their property.
They must make sure these do not obscure road signs, reduce visibility for road users or prevent people using the road or pavement safely.
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Residents and Landowners are also responsible for removing dead or decaying trees and other growth, removing branches that hinder high-sided vehicles or block light from a street light, and making sure roads and pavements are clear of debris from cutting work.
County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “Overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges frequently cause problems for our highways teams, and never more so than in autumn.
“Vegetation can reduce the width of footpaths putting pedestrians at risk; unmanaged trees can obscure street lights; overgrown bushes can hide important road signs.
“That is why we are reminding landowners and householders that their trees and hedges must be cut back if they are infringing upon the public highway and footpaths.”