Pedestrians are reporting “dangerous, unacceptable and downright treacherous” conditions on several footpaths, due to overgrown foliage forcing people to walk into busy roads.
Parents with children in prams and people who use wheelchairs are at particular risk of having to leave pavements and go into roads to get around obstacles.
Leigh-on-Sea cliff area, Rochford near Purdey’s Estate and areas of Great Wakering are all reported to have issues with foliage blocking footpaths.
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Essex County Council has already warned landowners to trim vegetation that’s overhanging public footpaths, or they will take action against them.
The council said landowners have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent risk from trees and other foliage overhanging and encroaching on to roads and paths.
Tom Blackburne-Maze, interim director of highways and transport at ECC, said: “Essex Highways is responsible for some trees and hedges and will ensure those located on the public highway are maintained. However, anything on private land needs to be maintained by the landowner.”
When a landowner refuses to cut back vegetation causing obstructions after being asked by councils (including Southend City Council and Essex County Council), can then be charged for the work to be completed by a contractor.
It’s also understood that Essex County Council have halted funding Highways Rangers who carry out cleaning and repairs on road signs and bollards, trim vegetation to improve the visibility and ad hoc grass cutting of highway verges. However, Cllr Mike Steptoe said: “I am currently challenging ECC on this matter at the highest level I can.”