Landowner Responsibilities

Landowners, including those residential properties bordering Rights of Way, must refrain from obstructing rights of way. They are responsible for keeping side growth back and any overhanging vegetation from encroaching onto paths. Maintenance of stiles and gates is also the responsibility of the landowner, but Hampshire County Council will check that they are safe and easy to use. There is no obligation on a landowner to make allowance for dogs that get through stiles.

You can read the Landowners guide to public Rights of Way here on the Hampshire County Council website.

Hedge Cutting on the Highway and Rights of Way

Hedges along paths and roads need to be routinely maintained to not obstruct highways or Rights of Way and are covered by the Highway Act 1980 s154. The following is for guidance and links are included below to Test Valley documentation about cutting back trees and the Act.

Although the Highways Act 1980 doesn’t specify any actual measurements for overhanging vegetation, the requirement should be met by:

• For pedestrian areas, minimum headroom of 2.3m (7ft 6 inches).
• For carriageway and an area immediately adjacent to it (for a distance of 0.45m (1ft 6 inches)) minimum headroom of 5.2m (17ft).

Further guidance can be found on the websites listed below

• Trimming shrubs and trees over public pavements, roads etc
• Trees Overhanging the Highway
• Highways Act 1980

Parish Lengthsman Scheme

Kimpton Parish Council can request funds from the Hampshire County Council Parish Lengthsman Scheme. This provide funding for defined works and services (see list below).

Drainage
•   Clearing existing drainage grips
•   Maintaining ditches
•   Cleaning channels
•   Clearing outfalls
•   Rodding pipes (off highway)
•   Flood prevention works (as specifically directed by the Parish Council as “Further Works”)

Signage
•   Cleaning (non illuminated)
•   Minor repairs

Other Minor Works
•   Remove soil/detritus
•   Cutting back vegetation overhanging the road or footway
•   Clearing footways of weeds/moss
•   Removing vegetation from parapets or fences
•   Grass strimming
•   Reporting defects
•   Sweeping
•   Litter picking
•   Removing flyposting
•   Unauthorised sign and graffiti removal
•   Cleaning street name plates
•   Cleaning bus shelters
•   Minor repairs to street furniture
•   ‘Village upkeep’

If you have any suggestions of work within the parish for the Lengthsman to carry out OR you identify any other village maintenance issues you’d like to bring to the attention of the Parish Council, please contact the Clerk on clerk@kimptonhampshire.org.uk.