Take pride and keep our village in trim

Nov 20 2008 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

Gerrards Cross Parish Council is committed to ensuring that the hedges and verges of the village are kept neat and tidy.

This to preserve the attractive appearance of the area, which continually gives pleasure to its residents and visitors, but more importantly it helps to reduce exposure to the many safety issues associated with unkempt hedges and verges.

* Overhanging trees and shrubs hamper pedestrians, in particular the older residents, those with poor eyesight, people in wheelchairs and people with pushchairs.

* Bushes and undergrowth can cause a traffic hazard by obscuring visibility. 

* Branches shielding street lights reduce visibility and create potentially dangerous conditions.

While the parish council will continue to maintain public boundaries under its own highways remit, the majority of hedges and trees growing along road and path boundaries are usually the responsibility of the adjoining land-owner. Contacting home-owners who do not adequately maintain their perimeters is both time-consuming and a distraction from helping improve other community facilities.

I am therefore asking you all to trim back your hedges and trees in order to support the beauty of the village and ensure the safety of your fellow residents. We are all extremely proud of our village and with your support and co-operation it can maintain its prestigious position in Buckinghamshire.

DIANA HEPBURN-PARK