by Wilmslow Town Council
Wilmslow residents are being asked to check whether their hedges are growing over the pavement and, where necessary, give them a trim.
Overgrown hedges and shrubs can reduce the space available for pedestrians, making pavements more difficult to use, particularly for people with mobility scooters or wheelchairs, those with pushchairs and children walking to school.
Wilmslow Town Council regularly hear from residents about this issue and are making a request to householders to check their boundaries and cut back any vegetation that is encroaching onto the public pavement.
Who is responsible?
Cheshire East Council, not Wilmslow Town Council, is responsible for public roads and pavements in Wilmslow.
Most hedges and trees overhanging public roads and footways are privately owned, and landowners are responsible for ensuring they are safe and do not cause an obstruction.
Where a hedge or tree is causing an obstruction, Cheshire East Council may contact the owner and ask them to cut it back. If the work is not carried out, the Council may undertake it and recover the cost.
Cheshire East Council is also responsible for its own highway trees and hedges. If you have a concern about a tree or hedge that needs attention, you can report it to the Council’s highways team using TraCE: report a tree, verge or other road and pavement issue to Cheshire East Council
Councillor Sally Harrison, Wilmslow Town Mayor, said, “This is simply a gentle reminder to residents to take a look at their hedges and check whether they are starting to grow over the pavement.
“Keeping pavements clear makes a real difference, particularly for people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, parents with pushchairs and children walking to school.
“Thank you to everyone who already keeps their boundaries well maintained and helps keep Wilmslow accessible and welcoming for everyone.”
September and October are generally good times to trim hedges, although residents should always check carefully for active bird nests before carrying out any work.
