Reporting overhanging foliage
On this page, we will look at reporting overhanging foliage to your local authority. Under the Highways Act 1980 section 154, local authorities can require landowners to cut back overhanging branches and vegetation if it endangers or obstructs the passage of pedestrians.
You’re able to report overgrown vegetation to your local authority and your council are usually responsible for this. Typically, they will have a website where you can report issues directly.
If you cannot find it on your council’s website after searching, we suggest you contact your local council directly,
Some councils may use also apps to help you report overgrown vegetation, such as the Fix My Street app.
This video asks the public to offer a helping hand, make their neighbours aware of the dangers and report overgrown vegetation to their local council. The video shows a man using his cane to navigate the pavement when he is hit in the face by some overgrown vegetation; a red circle with a diagonal line running through it then appears on the screen signifying danger. The video cuts to another man and a woman standing outside a house with an overgrown hedge at the front, which the man says needs cutting back, followed by an image of a man holding a phone to his ear with the Fix My Street logo underneath.
We have also created a video encouraging blind and partially sighted people to discuss obstacles, like bins, with their neighbours and report overgrown vegetation to their local council. The video shares how the council has an obligation to maintain safe streets for everyone.
The video shows a clip of a man using a white cane trying to navigate a path with dustbins and vegetation alongside on the left, with the path being shown from his perspective on the right. It then shows a woman and another man in dark glasses standing outside a house with an overgrown hedge at the front. The main is explaining the issue with the overgrown hedge. The screen splits to a man on the phone at the bottom of the screen with the Fix My Street app logo underneath reporting the overgrown foliage.
Download the app
Good practice
See below examples of how some councils manage their reporting overhanging foliage process:
- Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Brighton and Hove City Council
- City of Wolverhampton Council
- Lancashire County Council
- Nottinghamshire County Council
Use our letter template to write to your local council
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