Status unknown
Overgrown hedge Dyrham Close ref 4773393
Reported via desktop anonymously at 16:47, Tue 7 November 2023
Sent to Bristol City Council less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 5185518.
I am a resident of Dyrham Close and I am aware that over the last few months several neighbours have already reported problems with the overgrown hedgerow at the boundary of the playing fields between Lime Trees Road and Dyrham Close. In particular I refer to your reference 4773393. I understand that following those complaints an enforcement notice was served on the tenant; despite this, to date no action has been taken to cut the hedge. Please let me know: (a) whether this was served pursuant to legislation or pursuant to the lease; (b) the entity on whom it was served; (c) the terms of the enforcement notice; and (d) what steps you have taken to compel compliance with the enforcement notice. As time goes by the situation is only getting worse. Parts of the pavement are impassable because the brambles are completely covering the pavement, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road; the undergrowth is encroaching onto the pavement making it narrow in parts and causing trip hazards; the roots are breaking up the pavement surface causing potential trip hazards; overhanging brambles and branches are at head height, posing a risk of injury to pedestrians. Given the risks, remedial work needs to be taken as a matter of urgency, and certainly before bird nesting season prevents the hedge being cut back. For some time you have been on notice of the risks posed by the overgrown hedge: please let me know the Council’s policy on safe management of hedges adjacent to public highways. I look forward to receiving your substantive response within 28 days.
Updates
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I have received no acknowledgement or response from the Council. The problem remains. Not impressed.
Posted anonymously at 16:37, Wed 13 December 2023
Still open, via questionnaire -
Ref 4773393 first reported via Fix My Street on 11th July 2023 Date 1st August 2023 We have sent an enforcement letter to request that the land owner takes action on the issue raised. If the matter remains unresolved 28 days from the date of this update, please let us know via a new enquiry on Fix My Street so that we can consider whether further action is required. Date 7th September 2023 No action on ref 4773393 issue reported in July The over grown hedge is still blocking the pavement and the dead tree is still in situation. This is an accident waiting to happen as all pedestrians have to walk into the road at several places to get past the over grown hedge. The hedge needs cutting with a proper tractor and hedge cutting attachment or alternatively laying by a hedge laying expert. The hedge could be cut down in height by at least 50% Date 12th September 2023 I have lived on this close for over 14 years and this hedge used to be cut back on an annual basis. However, for the past two years the hedge has been left to grow, to the extent that it has now spread across the public foot path, forcing pedestrians onto the road. There are also long strands of brambles coming from the top of the hedge. The consequence of the lack of maintenance has resulted in the hedge becoming too wide and too high and needs to be reduced to a much more manageable height and width e.g. similar to the maintained hedge that surrounds the playing field at the corner of Kellaway Avenue and Kings Drive. Whoever, is responsible for this land needs ensure the hedge is regularly cut and maintained. 7th November 2023 I am a resident of Dyrham Close and I am aware that over the last few months several neighbours have already reported problems with the overgrown hedgerow at the boundary of the playing fields between Lime Trees Road and Dyrham Close. In particular I refer to your reference 4773393. I understand that following those complaints an enforcement notice was served on the tenant; despite this, to date no action has been taken to cut the hedge. Please let me know: (a) whether this was served pursuant to legislation or pursuant to the lease; (b) the entity on whom it was served; (c) the terms of the enforcement notice; and (d) what steps you have taken to compel compliance with the enforcement notice. As time goes by the situation is only getting worse. Parts of the pavement are impassable because the brambles are completely covering the pavement, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road; the undergrowth is encroaching onto the pavement making it narrow in parts and causing trip hazards; the roots are breaking up the pavement surface causing potential trip hazards; overhanging brambles and branches are at head height, posing a risk of injury to pedestrians. Given the risks, remedial work needs to be taken as a matter of urgency, and certainly before bird nesting season prevents the hedge being cut back. For some time you have been on notice of the risks posed by the overgrown hedge: please let me know the Council’s policy on safe management of hedges adjacent to public highways. I look forward to receiving your substantive response within 28 days. 8th November 2023 There is a very large dead tree in the overgrown hedge opposite the houses on Dyrham Close. Following recent storms large pieces of bark and branches are lying in the road and on the pavement. There are also telephone cables and a telegraph pole nearby. I am very concerned that further storms will bring this tree down. Date 5th January 2024 Despite all the above dates of logs about this subject (as above) being on Fix My Street, this issue is still ongoing as the land owner has done absolutely nothing since the Council served them with an Enforcement Notice to resolve the issues within 28 days, back in August 2023. The hedge has not been maintained for a number of Years and as a result it is now causing a Health and Safety issue, as the pavement is just about un useable for the entire length of Dyrham Close. In places the hedge is now encroaching into the road, therefore it is now becoming a danger to road users and traffic, so much so that the Councils own road sweeping vehicles that were here on 3rd January 2024, had to take evasive action at one point to be able to sweep the road gutter and road. (picture attached) The dead tree is also still in-situ within the hedge (previously reported and photograph included) and it is only a matter of when, not if, that branches and debris from the tree will start to fall, with all the serious ramifications associated. Hopefully the Land Owner has a very comprehensive Public Liability Insurance Policy in place that is valid , as it is only a matter of time before the inevitable happens and someone will be looking for compensation. If the hedge and maintenance thereof is not the Councils responsibility then the Land Owner who is, should be made to do something about it. Then an annual maintenance regime is required and should be put in place without delay
Posted anonymously at 15:58, Fri 5 January 2024
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Still open, via questionnaire, 17:13, Wed 10 January 2024
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Report 4969475 at the same location was yet again closed without any update or response being provided. No update or response has been provided against this report either, so I will submit a Council complaint.
Posted anonymously at 09:56, Wed 7 February 2024
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Council complaint now raised.
Posted anonymously at 10:11, Wed 7 February 2024
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