Cutting off hedge along access road

[jonno]

Hi all, the main access road to some land i have taken on is flanked on both sides by massive hedges. The lane is a tarred, council owned road but is never used by vehicles. I can get a pickup along it but nothing else.
What I want to now is; can I cut it off at the ground as the stumps grow straight into the lane, and can i do it without getting into trouble with sfp or anyone else right now. Many thanks

 

[Kevtherev]

Best left until September as you can't cut it between march-September August in England.
Cutting at ground is classed as coppicing so ok if you don't dig it up.

 

[Jon]

But for the safety of road users, wouldn't it be ok ?

 

[Exfarmer]

You can certainly cut it for the safety of road users, if anyone comments say you have had verbal complaints from cyclists and others.
I would check there are no birds nest in it first and note that down!

 

[jonno]

Sounds like a bit of a mine field. Do you think I should ask the local council's highway department?. This is the only access by road to the land, and has become overgrown as the landlord has never driven so never kept it down. Cant get a stock trailer or tractor up and down, but the lane does lead onto a public right of way so might be able to cut it to keep public right of way open maybe??

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Think with these things it's better to test the water by doing a bit then do a bit later on

 

[Exfarmer]

If you are cutting it now I would just side it if you do not want complaints. Going back to the stumps is inviting trouble.
Leave any major work till the winter

 

[Goweresque]

Firstly if its not your land, and you are the tenant I'd ask the landlord what they think first, because they might not take very kindly to having their hedge butchered without their knowledge. Secondly I'm not sure this time of year is very suitable from a plant husbandry point of view with regards to it growing back well. Thirdly I suspect that although there is a dispensation for cutting back roadside hedges during the closed period the authorities might take a dim view of you cutting back more than what is necessary for vehicle access, ie just the side branches, not the entire hedge.

Put that all together and I'd suggest that breaking out the chainsaw too hastily might end you up in hot water with a) your landlord (who might be in the firing line from the council too, so wouldn't be very happy to get a summons or suchlike because of your actions) and b) the council. Far better to speak to both, get the landlords OK for a course of action, ditto the council. Then crack on.

 

[C.J]

Trimming hedges during the bird nesting period 1 March - 31 July should be avoided unless hedges are preventing the passage, or affecting the safety, of the highway user, including cyclists and pedestrians.

Copied from Oxfordshire council.

Just do the minimum to get your biggest gear down.

 

[jonno]

Thanks all, i will get in touch with the council tomorrow to see what they say. Just a light trim if im allowed sounds like the way to go, until September anyway. Thanks for all the replies

 

[Nearly]

Write a letter to the council as a footpath walker that can't get down the lane and they'll do it for you.

 

[J B]

Thanks all, i will get in touch with the council tomorrow

Noooo

Why involve those pen-pushers? It will only prolong the agony

As long as its roadside then there are no real restrictions. Just think, do the council not cut the grass verges between certain dates? No they heck.

Just do it!