West Sussex County Council, the Highway Authority has recently issued a reminder regarding the importance of ensuring that public footpaths are kept clear for pedestrians, particularly those who are visually impaired. For those people who cannot see so well overhanging vegetation is a common obstruction they experience when walking.

Under the Highways Act residents are responsible for maintaining trees, hedges and shrubs within their property that adjoin the public highway and therefore they must make sure that any vegetation does not overhang the pavement, public footpath or road that would obstruct pedestrians or vehicles or pose an unreasonable health and safety risk to pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles.

If you spot a problem with overgrown vegetation, you can report it using the Love West Sussex app available through app stores or at https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/contact-us/?sc=1097&s=2137 and clicking on “Roads and Travel”.