The highway between the road and my boundary

[Flat 10]

The verge basically. Are councils under any obligation to maintain? I have one stretch where there is a wide verge and ditch full of brambles and thorns etc that is getting out of hand. Currently they are only cutting 4ft next to the road. Needs sorting out.
Second part of question is whose responsibility is any kind of access between the road and my property? We have one that needs widening and resurfacing. I am 99% sure the council surfaced it originally but is it their responsibility?
Thanks for all input.

 

[Tha Ulsterscot]

I'm sure our local council would do it for you, They are cutting the grass verges here at the minute, of course they won't do it in June when it should be cut. twits.

 

[Pan mixer]

The 'official view' down here from head of Highways Essex (not me by the way, just a friend) is that the Council will do the first 4 feet or so and a bit more on corners and junction splays. Everything else is down to the landowner adjacent. In some situations they will just do 'the farmers bit' sometimes they will write to ask the farmer to do his bit, then put a time limit on it, if that limit is exceeded they will do it and bill the farmer.

Seen all 3 scenarios many times.

 

[Farfrae]

Well you did ask but I doubt that you'll be any the wiser after reading it.

Information on Highway Verges

Do you want to shape the future of paths and open spaces? We need your help to keep our technical information, analysis & advice effective and up to date - your support means we can employ expert caseworkers. Become a member today This page is a revised version of Roadside Wastes by the late W R...

www.oss.org.uk

 

[Goweresque]

One suspects that the 'law' will be what the Local Authority want it to be, such that if its in their interests to clear the verge they will declare they have every right to destroy 'their' trees and hedge plants, but equally when it suits them they may decide the same vegetation is 'yours' and must be maintained at your expense............

 

[George from SJM Planning]

If it is anything like determining the responsibility when planning is involved it will all come down to where the land registry determines the boundary. For example if the title plan shows the ditch as the boundary then we can develop to the centre of the ditch without serving a Certificate B on the highways authority but if we need to develop between the verge and the road edge we have to issue a Certificate B notifying them that we are submitting planning on their land.

 

[steveR]

The verge basically. Are councils under any obligation to maintain? I have one stretch where there is a wide verge and ditch full of brambles and thorns etc that is getting out of hand. Currently they are only cutting 4ft next to the road. Needs sorting out.
Second part of question is whose responsibility is any kind of access between the road and my property? We have one that needs widening and resurfacing. I am 99% sure the council surfaced it originally but is it their responsibility?
Thanks for all input.

Is it a boundary hedge and the hedge is yours? Then you will probably be deemed responsible for the maintenance of said ditch! A good verge flail will hopefully sort it. Does the ditch actually do anything??

 

[Flat 10]

Is it a boundary hedge and the hedge is yours? Then you will probably be deemed responsible for the maintenance of said ditch! A good verge flail will hopefully sort it. Does the ditch actually do anything??

Hedge is mine. Ditch carries water and is a thorny, brambly mess which is now trying to take over the 8m wide verge.

 

[steveR]

Hedge is mine. Ditch carries water and is a thorny, brambly mess which is now trying to take over the 8m wide verge.

Kinda think based on my own experience and also the comments here, the ditch maintenance may well fall on you. However, I see you are in/on the Fens so the local IDB's may be able to offer advice?

 

[Kidds]

If it was bothering me I would just do it myself. It’s quicker, easier and will most likely be done to a higher standard.
Then if anyone asks who did it just say you think the council did it.

 

[steveR]

If it was bothering me I would just do it myself. It’s quicker, easier and will most likely be done to a higher standard.
Then if anyone asks who did it just say you think the council did it.

Kind of agree with this viewpoint, but the issue arrives of all the bollox and nonsense regulations for working on the Highway!! If you have an 8m verge, there is probably room to work with a mini digger

Certainly if I was in the position of the OP, I would get the rubbish flailed back ASAP as apart of a farming operation, and then take a look at the ditch works needed...

 

[steveR]

The verge basically. Are councils under any obligation to maintain? I have one stretch where there is a wide verge and ditch full of brambles and thorns etc that is getting out of hand. Currently they are only cutting 4ft next to the road. Needs sorting out.
Second part of question is whose responsibility is any kind of access between the road and my property? We have one that needs widening and resurfacing. I am 99% sure the council surfaced it originally but is it their responsibility?
Thanks for all input.

Got any pics??

 

[Still Farming]

Technically you own half the road and the opposite landowner the opposite half.
Repairian owners.
Local Authorities adopt the said highways with various rights .
If damage,utilities etc etc up can claim and any wayleaves etc.
Double check .

 

[Nearly]

The lane end onto the council road should only be resurfaced by an approved contractor etc. now.
Crack on with a coat of tar and chippings by the pikey crew and deny all knowledge?

We've one roadside field that we own the grass verge at the OTHER side of the road too.

 

[Pond digger]

The verge basically. Are councils under any obligation to maintain? I have one stretch where there is a wide verge and ditch full of brambles and thorns etc that is getting out of hand. Currently they are only cutting 4ft next to the road. Needs sorting out.
Second part of question is whose responsibility is any kind of access between the road and my property? We have one that needs widening and resurfacing. I am 99% sure the council surfaced it originally but is it their responsibility?
Thanks for all input.

Yes, I would say it’s the Council’s ( if they are the Highway Authority) responsibility, but it’s an open question as to just exactly how much, and what kind of maintenance is needed for the purposes of the highway. I suspect discussing the issue with them will be a complete wast of your time. Much better to do the job yourself, but make sure you have insurance cover for what you want to do.

Ooops, I see I’m a bit late in responding.

 

[Barleymow]

parish. council pay here to get few overgrown hedges cut, easier than trying to get homeowners to do it

 

[Pan mixer]

parish. council pay here to get few overgrown hedges cut, easier than trying to get homeowners to do it

I mess around on the Parish Council, I have organised whole roads so that the contractor comes in and does the lot and each house pays about £30, it is difficult to organise but it is quick, most homeowners love it as they have to do nothing but pay.

I get my contractor to cut other householders hedges when he does mine (as he is going right past) they are happy too.

Parish Council here couldn't afford to pay.