Landowners urged to trim vegetation or face action

Landowners are being asked to make sure hedges and other vegetation near roads and paths is well maintained

Action is set to be taken against private landowners who let trees and other foliage overhang and encroach on to roads and paths, a council says.

Essex County Council has given £100,000 to Essex Highways to help take enforcement action.

The council said landowners were responsible for maintaining their land and had a duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent risk.

Tom Blackburne-Maze, interim director of highways and transport, said maintaining private hedges and trees next to roads was "crucial in ensuring the safety of all residents as they travel around the county".

He said: "Essex Highways is responsible for some trees and hedges and will ensure those located on the public highway are maintained.

"However, anything on private land needs to be maintained by the landowner."

It has outlined steps landowners could take, including cutting back overhanging branches and removing or trimming damaged or diseased trees in danger of falling on to roads or pavements.

Mr Blackburne-Maze said: "We appreciate the work landowners do in maintaining these areas and would thank them for remembering that this is the best time to deal with any overhanging vegetation and ensure any ditches are clear before the nesting periods."