Managing Trees and Hedges Near Highways and Footpaths: What You Need to Know

Keeping your trees, shrubs and hedges well-maintained isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a matter of safety and legal responsibility. When vegetation from private or commercial properties begins to encroach on public footpaths or roads, it can cause serious issues for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. At Elite Trees, we regularly assist clients in managing trees, shrubs and hedges to ensure compliance with local council regulations and to maintain safe, accessible public spaces.

Why Proper Maintenance Matters

Local councils are increasingly vigilant about overgrown hedges and tree branches obstructing highways and walkways. If your vegetation is deemed a hazard, you may receive a formal notice requiring immediate action. Ignoring such requests could lead to fines or the council arranging the work themselves, at your expense.

Generally speaking, the recommended clearances are:

• A minimum of 2.1 metres (7 feet) above footpaths
• At least 5.2 metres (17 feet) above roadways

These measurements ensure that pedestrians, including those using mobility aids and all types of vehicles can pass safely without obstruction.

Who Is Responsible?

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or commercial property manager, it’s your responsibility to keep vegetation on your land trimmed back and out of the public right of way. In some cases, property owners are surprised to receive letters from the council, but rest assured, this is a common issue and one that can be quickly resolved with professional help.

How Elite Trees Can Help

At Elite Trees, we provide expert hedge trimming, shrub trimming and tree management services to ensure your property remains compliant and safe. Whether you’re responding to a council notice or simply carrying out routine maintenance, we can advise on the best approach and take care of the work efficiently.

In addition to hedge and shrub trimming, we offer a wide range of complementary services to keep your outdoor spaces in top condition:

• Tree stump removal
• Vegetation clearing
• Emergency tree work
• Tree surveys
• Tree crowning and reductions
• Professional fencing services

Whether you need a one-off visit or regular maintenance, we’re here to support both domestic and commercial clients with reliable, high-quality service.

Why Choose Elite Trees?

We understand the legal and safety implications of overgrown vegetation and take pride in delivering prompt, professional solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Our qualified arborists are fully insured and equipped to handle everything from routine hedge cutting to complex tree surgery near roads or public spaces. Contact us today.

Written by

Paul Thomas