Rampant vegetation

[whole diary]

[stuving]

I guess a lot of places had the same surge in growth in May/June that has led to "grassgate" in Wokingham (if you believe the local paper). The boss of the contractors has been apologising and explaining that they were caught out by the timing, and had trouble recruiting enough staff. But the quote that the press picked on to make his life just that extra bit more miserable was "we've seen an unprecedented grass growth rate - around 60% more aggressive than last year".

So it's been agressive grass here. I guess the word might be more apt for the brambles and nettles or even buddleias (plus the odd resting triffid) that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) have been propagating.

[TaplowGreen]

I've had an acknowledgement from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) confirming that they will be visiting the area to assess how much work is required to cut back the vegetation and make the area safer.

NR phoned me late yesterday afternoon - they hope to have all the overgrown vegetation on Approach Road cleared by close of play on Tuesday.

[NickB]

Amazing! And there was me thinking that they’d sit on it until Autumn and come and cut it back when it’s dead. Perhaps my cynicism needs reappraising. 

[TaplowGreen]

Amazing! And there was me thinking that they’d sit on it until Autumn and come and cut it back when it’s dead. Perhaps my cynicism needs reappraising. 

It's getting so bad now that I think they have to act quickly because it's becoming a safety issue.

It's now impossible to walk on the pavement on a large part of Approach road due to knee high nettles & brambles at head/eye height.....my own dainty leg was stung by a nettle yesterday (I am expected to survive)

Suspect they'll hack it back for now and perhaps address the root cause* in the Autumn.

* can you see what I did there? 

[grahame]

Amazing! And there was me thinking that they’d sit on it until Autumn and come and cut it back when it’s dead. Perhaps my cynicism needs reappraising. 

It's getting so bad now that I think they have to act quickly because it's becoming a safety issue.

Sitting in nettles and brambles - especially for several months - would not be comfortable!

[TaplowGreen]

Amazing! And there was me thinking that they’d sit on it until Autumn and come and cut it back when it’s dead. Perhaps my cynicism needs reappraising. 

It's getting so bad now that I think they have to act quickly because it's becoming a safety issue.

Sitting in nettles and brambles - especially for several months - would not be comfortable!

Judging by the rustling noises from said undergrowth, you wouldn't be short of company.

[CyclingSid]

Before you do it yourself
https://road.cc/content/news/legal-action-threat-vs-councillor-who-cut-down-vegetation-285523
Nothing like encouraging community spirit

[stuving]

Before you do it yourself
https://road.cc/content/news/legal-action-threat-vs-councillor-who-cut-down-vegetation-285523
Nothing like encouraging community spirit

I fear m'learned friend has gone a little over the top there. Having noted, no doubt correctly, that elected council members are neither required nor expected to clear obstructing vegetation from the highway (since footpaths and cycle paths are part of the highway), he has jumped directly to assuming it is therefore unlawful. Other views on that matter are available, such as this from Cycling UK^▸ (United Kingdom):

Taking matters into your own hands

    You are entitled to take reasonable steps to remove an obstacle in your way.

    It would probably be reasonable to cut back overhanging vegetation with secateurs, or to break a lock on a locked gate, but it would not be reasonable to take away an unlocked gate, as opening it would sufficiently clear the path to allow you to pass. A highway user can only remove as much of the obstruction “as is necessary to exercise his right of passing along the highway”.

    Removing too much, for instance by cutting back too much vegetation, is a statutory offence under section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1970, and the owner would be permitted to sue for damages.

    Obstructions that cannot be dealt with at the time should be reported, either to the landowner or to the local highway authority.

    You may also have a right to divert around the obstruction on the nearest accessible safe route.

A friendly reminder that a councillor acting independently may (though I suspect not always) not have any protection or indemnisation from the council, or their insurers, would have been more appropriate.

And isn't his job title - "Director - Democracy, Planning and Public Protection" - nicely Orwellian?

[Witham Bobby]

A friendly reminder that a councillor acting independently may (though I suspect not always) not have any protection or indemnisation from the council, or their insurers, would have been more appropriate.

And isn't his job title - "Director - Democracy, Planning and Public Protection" - nicely Orwellian?

The longer and more incomprehensible the job title, the less easy it is to penetrate what the job actually is.  Refuge for some at the top of big organisations. 

[eightonedee]

And isn't his job title - "Director - Democracy, Planning and Public Protection" - nicely Orwellian?

I think it means Town Clerk!  Ironically the type of job title that fell out of use because it has connotations of pettifogging bureaucracy, and of course in the modern world there's more to do so jobs have to be split - no doubt there's also a Director of Inclusivity, Sustainability, Risk and Accountability to help too 

[TaplowGreen]

I've had an acknowledgement from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) confirming that they will be visiting the area to assess how much work is required to cut back the vegetation and make the area safer.

NR phoned me late yesterday afternoon - they hope to have all the overgrown vegetation on Approach Road cleared by close of play on Tuesday.

I'm pleased to report that the overgrown vegetation  has been cleared & it's now possible to walk safely along the length of Approach Road on the pavement.

Well done NR for acting swiftly & keeping your promises.