Author: jennid

Owners and Occupiers are Required to:
Trim roadside hedges and trees so that growth does not impair the safety of highway users. This includes any hedges that directly abut any Public Right of Way.
Trim roadside hedges and trees to maintain visibility, particularly at junctions, on the inside of bends and at passing-places.
Remove dead or decaying trees and other growth likely to fall across the highway.
Remove branches and other growth that may prevent the passage of high-sided vehicles or obstruct light from a public street light.
Roadside Verges
The roadside verge is part of the highway, including the trees and bushes growing on it. Trimming of the verge for visibility purposes and maintenance of road drainage ditches are the responsibility of the Highway Authority. When cutting verges, the Highway Authority may also trim small sections of roadside hedge. This does not relieve the owner/occupier of the responsibility for roadside trimming.

When felling or pruning trees, consent will be required from the Planning Department of the Council as the Isles of Scilly is a Designated Conservation Area.

The Highway Authority
The Council of the Isles of Scilly is the Highway Authority for the roads on St. Mary’s. It encourages roadside hedge owners and occupiers to act in a responsible way towards users of highways and provide advice on these matters.

WARNING
Where roadside hedge growth has become a problem, the Highway Authority will serve notice on the owner/occupier requiring the necessary work to be completed within a stated period. Failure to comply with the conditions of this notice will result in the Highway Authority undertaking the works and recovering the expenses from the owner/occupier.
The Council will recover all costs of administration, mobilisation, labour and equipment, together with invoices including labour, freight, equipment, travel and subsistence, if qualified tree surgeons are brought to St. Mary’s to ensure trees and hedges are trimmed correctly.

Council of the Isles of Scilly

If you require this information in another format or have any enquiries please contact:
Town Hall, St Mary’s,
Isles of Scilly, TR21 0LW
01720 424000
enquiries@scilly.gov.uk
Www.scillyu.gov.uk

Roadside Tree & Hedge Management Guide

Recommended Practice for Roadside Hedges
Trees and hedges contain a wealth of flowers and plants essential to biodiversity and provide important habitats for a range of species, including bats and birds that are statutorily protected.
The stone and turf structure of a Scillonian hedges is historically important and foster an especially rich bio-diversity that supports wildlife . When correctly managed, the plant and animal populations in hedges remain balanced and are able to thrive.
Under the Highways Act 1980, the Highway Authority has the legal duty to prevent, as far as possible, the obstruction of roads. This includes hedge and tree growth from roadside hedges.

When to Trim Roadside Trees & Hedges

Summer trimming

Single and Two lane roads. Road hedge-side to be trimmed in June and again in August, leaving 200-500mm (8” to 12” inches) of growth.

Winter trimming

Trees must be trimmed at least once, between December and February.
Please be aware that hedge trimming and tree works during the months of March to August may disturb nesting birds.

Responsibility
Cutting should be timed to avoid daytime traffic flows and not done at night. Flail mowers should be mounted on the left hand side of the tractor, so that the tractor can move with the flow of traffic.
Warning signs should be displayed at the ends of the section being cut and at road junctions. Avoid trimming hedges too closely, as this causes stones to fall out and endangers safety on the highway.
All trimmings should be cleared from the highway, including from footways and drainage features. Hedges adjoining bridleways and footpaths should be trimmed.
Those responsible for trimming, should have public liability insurance appropriate for working on the highway. Private householders who have roadside hedges have the same legal responsibilities as other owners and occupiers under the Highways Act 1980.

Tops of Roadside Hedges & Trees
Mature growth and trees that over hang the highway must be trimmed to a suitable height for the vehicle usage on the road. This varies between 2.1m-5.2m (approx 17ft.), depending on pedestrian or vehicle usage, and should be done between December, to February. Advice should be obtained from the Council of the Isles of Scilly on 01720 424019.

More Information:
If you would like more information on the nesting season of birds , local wildlife or best practise for hedge trimming, please see the websites listed below.
www.rspb.org.uk
www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk
http://www.naturalengland.org.up/ourwork/regulation/hedgeregs/
www.scilly.gov.uk