NEWS & VIEWS

October 2024

Pavement Clearing

We are advised by Trafford BC, that verges will be cleared and pavements swept by Amey, by the end of Oct 2024.

In the event that the village pavements remain unusable after this work is undertaken, The Parish Council is obtaining quotes for private contractors to assist in clearing the footways. The main focus is the Dunham Road from the bridge at Barnes lane to the junction with Paddock Lane.

​

Several residents are doing an amazing job clearing the pavements that border their properties, with some even clearing large stretches beyond.  The parish council would like to thank all those that have cleared the pavements of the weed growth through-out spring and summer.  

​

If any residents have particular concerns regarding specific footways, please contact the Parish Council using the contact form on the home page.

​

Hedge Cutting

In recent years it has become more and more clear that some highways and especially footways in Warburton are obstructed by overhanging vegetation. In combination with the widely-perceived increases in traffic speed and numbers on several Warburton roads, this creates considerably increased risks to life.

​

Residents are politely reminded that they have a responsibility for their hedges and trees, in particular where these front the public highway.

The Highways Act 1980 requires landowners or occupiers to ensure that, hedges and trees do not cause an overhang hazard or otherwise obstruct the highway, meaning both road and footways;  growth from hedges and trees do not restrict visibility of road signs and street lights; and  clippings from hedge cutting activities do not cause a highway hazard.

Local Authorities Highways departments usually require the area 600mm (2’) behind the face of a road kerb to be clear of vegetation over 600mm (2’) high and to a minimum height of 2.5m (8’). In respect of footways, the full width of the footway (which can vary) has to be clear of overhanging or overgrowing vegetation to a minimum height of 2.5m (8’).

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in hedge or tree owners being served notice by the Local Authority Highways Department. This can result in the Local Authority undertaking the work and charging the landowner for this work – often an expensive item!

​

When trimming or cutting hedges along the highway there are risks involved and residents are asked to take particular care, both for themselves or any contractor working for them (who should be insured). Our farmers tend to use mechanical tractor-mounted hedge flails, but use these during the autumn or winter so that nesting birds are not disturbed and wild flowers in the hedge are not crushed. Where the risks are considered too high by the adjacent resident or his contractor, it may be necessary to arrange with Trafford Council Highways for traffic controls to be used while the works are carried out.

​

Bird nesting season is officially between the end of February and the end of August (Natural England) and it is recommended that vegetation works (tree and hedge cutting) or clearance works in vegetated areas should take place outside of the nesting season (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) as it is illegal to destroy a nest, egg or bird (unless it can be shown that the act was the incidental result of a lawful operation which could not reasonably have been avoided). Hedges and other vegetation which obstruct visibility splays are exempt from the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in respect of the need to keep visibility splays free from obstruction. From the point of view of the wildlife, it is of course better to keep works during the nesting season down to the minimum. Under the Hedgerow Regulations Act 1997 it is an offence to remove a hedge or hedgerow without applying for Planning Permission. Very many of the hedges in Warburton are likely to be deemed ‘Important’, having historic or archaeological value and this increases the requirement for protection.