Section 154 of the Highways Act places a statutory obligation on adjacent landowners/occupiers to ensure that their hedge, tree or shrub does not obstruct highway users, nor obscures visibility including illumination from streetlights. Section 148 also requires the proper removal of parings from cutting works. The County Council will only cut hedges in the following circumstances -

• On the inside of bends and at junctions on A and B roads to maintain visibility; (refer to the Management of Roadside Verges in Devon for more information).
• On hedges owned by the Council;
• On approaches to and around traffic signals, signs and appropriate street furniture;
• To enable work to be undertaken at the edge of the carriageway, cycleway or footway;
• To provide access to drainage easements, ditches, buddle holes, grips and channels.

Most landowners and farmers are aware of the importance of roadside hedge and trees and it is appreciated that maintenance has to be included with other farming activities. However, where a hedge or tree is causing an obstruction or restricting visibility the Council may contact the landowner/occupier concerned and request cutting. If this is not forthcoming a formal notice will be issued and then, if necessary, the work undertaken by the Council in default of the landowner/occupier who will be recharged the cost incurred.