CREDITON Town Council is encouraging local residents to keep their hedges and trees tidy and prevent them from overhanging the public highway/footways.

It says that by keeping your hedges and trees tidy and preventing overgrowth you can avoid receiving formal notification from Devon County Council asking you to take action.

Overgrown trees, hedges and other vegetation can cause a safety concern or obstruction for users of the public highway.

It says that if the County Council has to take action to address the issues over privately owned trees and hedges this costs money and ties up valuable resources.

Highway inspections are undertaken throughout the year and the landowner or occupier will be formally requested to take action within 14 days.

This is in accordance with the Highways Act 1980.

To avoid this, the council asks that people please monitor the growth of vegetation throughout the year and take action before a hazard is created.

It advises that when undertaking any work to hedges and trees, to please be aware of regulations in respect of wildlife, such as nesting birds, planning and highway safety.

The council said: “It is in everyone’s interest to keep the Town looking tidy so please do your bit.”

For further help or advice please contact Crediton Town Council.?

Alan Quick