Keeping pavements clear and accessible

Our team have recently received a number of complaints because pavements are difficult to safely use due to unmaintained hedges and hedgerows alongside.

Derbyshire County Council are the authority responsible for keeping roads and pavements clear and in good repair and it is possible to report issues on their website using this link: Trees and vegetation - highways - Issue - Section 1 - Self (derbyshire.gov.uk)

Hedgerows or shrubs/hedges that are encroaching on pavements from private land are the responsibility of the landowner, but the County Council can contact them and remind them of their responsibilities, or take enforcement action, if necessary.

If any part of a hedge or shrub on your property borders a pavement or footpath, you must ensure that any foliage is kept cut back sufficiently so that the paths are accessible and there are no overhanging branches that could injure someone. Now is the perfect time to cut back your hedges while there are no nesting birds and before new growth appears in the spring.

Please trim your hedges as high as you can and be mindful of the safety of pedestrians, particularly wheelchair users or partially sighted people, who might catch their face or clothes.

If you have an elderly neighbour who might struggle to keep their hedges maintained, why not offer them some assistance?