Hedge height at a junction

[Hesston4860s]

This might not be the right place to ask ! But here goes.

At the top of our fen road there’s 2 cottages with a hedge along the front of both about 8 feet from the edge of the road. Now the fen road joins the main road on a bend and for years on end the hedge was never a problem as well there wasn’t one !. However a few years ago both cottages changed hands and now theres this hedge and it’s out of control and you can’t see a f£&*ing thing to the right, and it’s literally an accident waiting to happen !. Now I don’t live there anymore (haven’t since 2006) but my yards down there so do use the road, the residents I do know that still live there have reported it to the parish council and highways on numerous occasions and nothing ever gets done.
There asking me if there’s any kind of legislation covering hedges and visibility splays etc etc, I don’t know so I’m asking you ?

And yes before anyone says it, yes it must be just as bad for the folks that live in the cottages but they must have X-ray vision ?

thanks !

 

[br jones]

Because of the lack of verge cutting round here ,the council at least clear around the junctioned ,maybe a letter pointing out blame if an accident happens

 

[Ali_Maxxum]

Hedge height is normally a very tricky one. Can you speak to the owners? I have before. If no joy, keep reporting it, email, so you have a paper trail and a response.

Tell them if you have an accident you will be looking to them as they have done nothing about it i.e. enforcement notice.

That or accidentally on purpose cut it down in a rage with a trimmer.

 

[Hesston4860s]

Hedge height is normally a very tricky one. Can you speak to the owners? I have before. If no joy, keep reporting it, email, so you have a paper trail and a response.

Tell them if you have an accident you will be looking to them as they have done nothing about it i.e. enforcement notice.

That or accidentally on purpose cut it down in a rage with a trimmer.

Like I said I don’t personally live down there anymore and I’m just asking on behalf of a friend that does. I can see his point of view and he says they’ve done all of which you mention. He says he was nearly wiped out twice last week as not only is it on a bend there’s a blind dip leading up to the bend from the right. There’s been 4 crashes there since Xmas, none to do with anyone pulling out the junction just folks going to fast out the dip and round the corner !.
I can see a bad accident coming one day tho and someone getting killed, and then he’ll cut it down but its too late then init. The chap that lives there reckons the speed limits to fast for the road it’s 60 and it should be 30 with traffic lights on the junction !.
My mate reckons hes going to ring highways again tomorrow and then get in touch with his MP.

 

[ploughman1963]

Is the hedge owner using this as a stick with which to get the speed limit reduced either for his safety or perhaps to increase the value of his property?
Could an application to get some ‘hidden junction’ signs erected around the fast bend by the local authorities start things moving? Knowing the cost of these things, once made aware, the authorities may suggest cutting the hedge as being a cheaper alternative?
I agree with the other comments- a strongly worded letter to the local authorities/highway authorities making the case that the junction is dangerous due to poor visibility caused by the overgrown hedge and the risk of an accident should make someone get nervous and pull their finger out

 

[kill]

Secateurs in ye pocket when walking the dog and or on a dark night? Or bible with hedge cutter

 

[robs1]

We had a similar thing a few years ago, I found out the name of the person who lived there and rocked up with the trimmer and said hello mr so and so the council have sent me round to cut the hedge as its dangerous, he said dont you dare but when I said that the council have the power to do it and charge and any accident he would be liable he backed down, it is cut every year now but dont know who does it

 

[Exfarmer]

If it is affecting you I would send a letter to both the owner and the relevant authorities detailing your concerns and that by pointing this out to the owner , you will hold him responsible in the event of an accident at this junction. Be polite but very explicit that his hedge is making it impossible to see the approaching traffic as you emerge and you think the situation is highly dangerous. Point out also that you have no other way of accessing your property. If you have a hedge trimmer, I would offer to trim this as a neighbourly thing to soften the letter.

 

[Sid]

Secateurs in ye pocket when walking the dog and or on a dark night? Or bible with hedge cutter

What do you do stand on the bible to reach the top of the hedge?


Beware trimming someone elses hedge.
Especially a garden hedge!

 

[Brisel]

Do you or your friend have a hedgecutter? If so, just cut it but @Exfarmer has the more diplomatic procedure. If that doesn't work try @robs1 's method!

If they call the police you can explain to them that it's for health & safety reasons. Might be worth taking professional advice for too. NFU member? Don't waste much time with Highways but do record copies of any correspondence sent to them in case the worst should happen.

Is a convex mirror on the other side of the road an option? Not much good for high speed vehicles. Mount a flat mirror too? Anything that gives you another second of reaction time.

 

[Dr. Alkathene]

Late night wander with a knapsack.....

 

[Pan mixer]

Highways should be able to rule on it, ask the Parish Council to ask Highways.