Continuing problems, with hedges blocking public footpaths, were raised by Andrew Waller at a recent Council meeting.
He asked how many reports the Council receives each year about footpaths being blocked and how long it takes to remedy problems.
Askham Lane hedge overgrown for four months
Oldman Court path blocked since September
He was told that “Council officers don’t currently keep records of the numbers of vegetation complaints and how they are progressing.
The estimated numbers are in the region of 500 to 600 per year mainly concentrated during the summer months.
When a complaint is made, if the address is given a letter is sent out asking the owner to rectify the situation. If the address is vague a site visit will normally be made next time someone is in the area and then a letter sent.
If no further complaints are made it is assumed that the problem has been put right. If a further complaint is made then a second letter is sent with a more formal instruction to put the situation right otherwise we (CYC) may carry out the works and recharge the costs to the owner. If there is no improvement then an instruction to cut the vegetation is issued and the cost recharged”.
We remain concerned that effective action hasn’t been taken to cut back hedges like the one adjacent to the field on Askham lane 9this has been trimmed on the road side by the Council in the past).
We are considering referring long outstanding problems for the attention of the Local Government Ombudsman
