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Hedges, verges, ditches and trees

By Katherine Horton Hawkley Parish

Tuesday, 15 October 2024

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Hawkley Parish Contributor

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Dear Resident,

Maintaining, hedges, verges, ditches and trees along the border of your property shows consideration to others – it’s the neighbourly thing to do. An overgrown hedge or tree can obstruct sight lines, particularly round bends and corners while an overflowing ditch may cause a flood and put residents’ properties at risk. In the winter, with poor visibility and weather, it is even more important that such matters are attended to.

Landowners are responsible for maintaining the hedges and ditches that run along the border of their property. So, what does that entail? Latest guidance from Hampshire County Council (HCC) has advised the following:

  • Hedges and Trees

Hedges should be pruned so as not to grow beyond the boundary of your property. Where the trees or hedges are tall and overhang the footpath or verge they need a clearance of at least 2.1 metres above the footway - if it overhangs the carriageway itself, it must be 5.2 metres or more above the road surface.

  • Ditches

Landowners with watercourses on or adjacent to their land are responsible for maintaining the free flow of water so that the ditch or drain provides effective drainage (see for example HCC Guidance download). This includes clearing ditches of any leaves or other debris which impedes the water flow. Over the last twelve months we have seen a record number of named storms, above average rainfall and significant flooding affecting communities across Hampshire. With this changing climate, it is important to be prepared for flooding and HCC have prepared some useful reference information Managing flood risk | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk).

Most residents look after their hedges and ditches diligently, without prompting, but there are a few which are not being properly attended to, causing inconvenience to neighbours and visitors alike. We would hope in these instances that a polite word from a neighbour will see the matter dealt with but if that doesn’t work, the Parish Council can intervene if asked.

While the PC has no specific powers it can escalate the matter to Hampshire County Council which, as the Highways Authority, (working with the Environment Agency in the case of waterways), does have the power to force a landowner to put things right. In an emergency, it can put things right itself and give the landowner the bill.

If you have any comments or questions on the information provided in this email, feel free to talk to a Parish Councillor or the Parish Clerk

Contact Information

Katherine Horton

  • 07866 443350

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Hawkley, Liss, Hampshire

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