Highway Safety Concern – Highways Act 1980 s41 & s130

Vegetation is obstructing the road causing cars to steer into oncoming traffic and drive into myself on several occasions. The hedging adjacent to the carriageway on the bend coming into Pusey from Gainfield has become significantly overgrown and is now encroaching into the highway, reducing the usable width of the road and causing vehicles to alter course. This is creating a clear and ongoing road safety risk, and ongoing for over a year with minimal hedge cut back. As highway authority, the Council has a statutory duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highway in a safe condition, and under Section 130 to assert and protect the public’s right to the safe use and enjoyment of the highway. I understand that the ongoing maintenance of hedging may rest other responsible owners; however, where vegetation overhangs or obstructs the highway, the Council has powers under Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980.