Volunteers clear overgrown verge for villagers

The overgrown verge (left) has been cut back to allow safer passage for pedestrians (right)

A group of volunteers have cut back an overgrown verge which was obstructing people from walking to their nearby village.

Bernard Woollaston, 87, who uses a wheelchair, said he would no longer attempt the narrow path on Shums Hill near Kirby-le-Soken in Essex after twice falling over trying to navigate round it.

Other residents said they were frustrated at the state of the verge. The county council's Essex Highways department said the verge did not require "immediate" action.

But on Sunday morning, Ray Enever from the Kirby Residents Association, and two other people, hacked back at the bushes on the road, which goes to Kirby Cross.

Conservative Essex county councillor Mark Platt and Tendring district councillor Daniel Land, a fellow Tory, joined in with the efforts.

"We do end up doing these types of things ourselves quite frequently," said Land.

"We're up against nature a lot of the time, and if we can respond quickly as local councillors, that's exactly what we'll do."

Mr Woollaston told the BBC he was "very grateful" and said: "It's given me freedom. I can get down to Kirby-le-Soken, when I couldn't before."

The group picked up their tools and clear the pathway for residents

Essex Highways typically cuts back foliage on roads twice a year, but said Shums Hill did not need "immediate action".

"To maximise resources, we carefully prioritise works based on risks to the public and will continue to monitor this situation," a spokesperson said.

Essex Highways is investigating who owns the land adjacent to the road.

Mr Woollaston said he suffered a week-long headache and blurry vision after twice falling from his wheelchair