Now that the bird nesting season is past, a reminder to all residents that it is their responsibility to ensure that hedges and trees on their land are cut back so as not to impede the road or sight splays and create a safety hazard to pedestrians and vehicles.
The Highways Act 1980 states ” a hedge, tree or shrub overhangs a highway or any other road or footpath to which the public has access so as to endanger or obstruct the passage of vehicles or pedestrians, or obstructs or interferes with the view of drivers of vehicles or the light from a public lamp”.
Please note that if a privately owned tree or hedge causes an obstruction to a road or carriageway within a public highway, powers exist under Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980, to make the owner remove the obstruction. If they do not, Bedford Borough Council may do this work and re-charge the owner.