Closed
Overgrown hedge, where the road bends every pedestrian is in danger
Reported via desktop in the Grass category anonymously at 23:58, Sun 4 July 2021
Sent to Oxfordshire County Council less than a minute later
Dear Sir/Madam, We are leaving in the neighborhood at 151 Cumnor Road and in this pandemic we family of three have to walk pass that hedge. I’m aware that you told 4 properties there to cut their hedges (including this one which is the worst). There is a next door that didn’t cut it still enough, but other two completely eliminated they abstracting hedges. Those hedges abstract pedestrian passage. In particular this hedge is in the place where the road bends and it is very unsafe to walk there. Trust me kids walking there and if you will not do anything somebody may be accidentally one day killed by the car due to little room for pedestrians available. Many neighbors asked them politely to cut the hedge, but there was no understanding. I’m not going to more details, but I’m taking the matter now very seriously and will ask you to cut the hedge yourself due to the property owner resistance to do so.
In the web site https://www.gov.uk/ how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/ high-hedges-trees-and-boundaries there is the clause:
If your property borders a road The highways authority can ask you to cut back hedges or trees on your property if they’re causing an obstruction in the road. If you refuse, they can go into your property without your permission to do the work themselves. They may charge you for this.
Could you please proceed and do the work, because they refused to do the work themselves?
I’m urging you to do it ASAP public is in danger and especially there are kids passing there and going to the school in the morning and everybody is unhappy with that hedge.
Best Regards, Karen
Council ref: ENQ21899705
Updates
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Thank you for your enquiry. This issue has been passed onto the relevant team for investigation.
State changed to: Investigating
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 23:59, Sun 4 July 2021
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Fundamentally the problem is the bend and the SPEEDING traffic. Possibly exacerbated by the trucks and increased traffic due to new developments.
An inch or two of hedge won’t make much difference to that.
After the SID is placed further in (very much welcomed) and impact assessment is needed on traffic through Henwood. Seems clear though that further measures and improved speed signage are needed even then.
Posted anonymously at 09:11, Thu 15 July 2021
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That hedge must go altogether, those people can replant new hedge a little bit further and in the next 4 years it will grow again and will not put public at risk. The next door hedge must go as well or have to be cut deeper. There are 2 households nearby who did cut they hedges altogether(those are good citizens). if you will not cut those hedges then I will file lawsuit against you Oxfordshire Council. In my opinion you now covering those people who didn't want to cut they hedge and now you are putting public in danger knowingly. Your SID will not help, because when bus or lorry passes there is no room to escape, bus left side mirror is very close to hit pedestrian's head. From today 15/07/21 you have 8 weeks to fix the issue. I will urge you to take my words very seriously. I'm going to get central government aware of this issue as well I feel you miss interpreting public safety words. In the meantime if within next 8 weeks anything happens due to that hedge there you will be still responsible as this will be counted as criminal negligence. Karen
Posted anonymously at 10:47, Thu 15 July 2021
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Thank you for your report. I have visited the site you pinpointed on the map, by The Black House, Henwood, on the B4017, see photos, and assessed the issue that you have identified. I have requested a 28 day notice be sent to the owner of the property, whose vegetation is overgrowing this footpath, to cut it back.
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 12:06, Tue 27 July 2021
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Unable to see the Henwood sign because of overgrown bramble bushes + drain blocked on the bend. A very large lorry managed to give me a soaking. And the lorry was speeding!!
Posted anonymously at 19:13, Sun 8 August 2021
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Thank you for your report. I have re-visited this site. The vegetation in front of The Black House and Low Mead 2, Henwood has been cut back, see photos. I am therefore closing this report.
State changed to: Investigation complete
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 08:38, Mon 27 September 2021
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.