Jersey environmental group call for change to branchage law

Jersey in Transition said it believed many hedgerows were losing essential habitats from being cut back too far

A Jersey environmental group wants to make it illegal to cut hedges back too far during branchage season.

The branchage law has been in place since 1914 and ensures any vegetation growth that protrudes onto roads and footpaths is cut back.

Jersey in Transition wants to amend the law to leave at least 10cm of growth on hedgerows to protect essential habitats.

The government has been contacted for comment.

Parish constables make sure the public roads have no overgrowth, therefore making it safe for users

What is branchage?

Branchage translates to 'the branch' in Jersey's traditional language Jèrriais, and branchage season takes place between July and September.

The 113-year-old law sees parish constables making sure the public roads have no overgrowth, therefore making it safe for users.

There must be a 12ft (3.6m) clearance over main roads and by-roads, and a clearance of 8ft (2.4m) over footpaths.

Branchage inspectors are brought in twice a year to ensure roads and pavements are "as safe as possible" - if they are deemed unsafe or uncompleted, land owners can be fined or charged for the work to be done.

Jersey in Transition have asked for two additional clauses to be added to the law.

The first of these would require that vegetation bordering any road "must not have been cut or destroyed to less than a distance of 10cm from the soil surface".

The second proposed change would ask for vegetation on the top of any banque to be "left uncut insofar as it does not overhang the road".

The group said any actions taken as part of the law must be in accordance with the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021, "particularly in regard to protected species and invasive non-native species".

The wildlife law ensures the conservation and protection of wild animals, birds and plants, and promotes biodiversity in the island.

The environment group has proposed a new device to measure the 10cm proposal

Jersey in Transition proposed a "new measuring stick" to be used by inspectors, "which simply has the last 10cm painted a contrasting colour".

"The stick can be pushed into the vegetation to give an instant indication of whether the cut has met the new requirements," it said.

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