Investigating
Church Walk, near junction with Cross Street
Sent to Lincolnshire County Council less than a minute later. Council ref: 462917.
Foliage Hazard in Church Walk, Holbeach. The photos uploaded show that the foliage growing rapidly over the perimeter wall of Old the Vicarage, opposite the blind junction with Cross Street, is reducing the width of the carriageway (measured where the electrical box on the wall of 9 Cross Street is visible) from 3.83 metres to 2.04 metres – i.e. a reduction in width of 46.7%. This morning, when I drove up and down Church Walk, I noticed that I couldn't pass this point without the protruding foliage clipping my wing mirrors. Church Walk is only of single carriageway width and has no footpath south of the junction with Cross Street. Yet, it is still used as two-way road (as is Cross Street). The junction of these two carriageways is already a significant hazard, even without the obstructing foliage. It is clear that this foliage must be cut back to the perimeter wall as a matter of urgency.
Updates
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Thanks for letting us know about your issue with a tree/hedge on the highway. We will look into this and let you know what we find within the next 14 days. You can find out more about trees and hedges on our website
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Great news, we’ve had a look at the issue and we have now passed to our Highways Officers for the team to assess what can be done to resolve the matter. We’ll let you know when the assessment has taken place.
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A quick note to let you know that we’re taking enforcement action. This type of action can take a long time to complete so whilst it might not look like we’re working on the issue, we’re being busy behind the scenes. Thanks for your patience. As this progresses, we’ll update you when we can.
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Thanks for letting us know about your issue with a tree/hedge on the highway. We will look into this and let you know what we find within the next 14 days. You can find out more about trees and hedges on our website
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As you will see from my two latest photos attached, someone has had a superficial go at trimming back the foliage that overhangs Church Walk in Holbeach. However, you will see that this foliage still obscures the double yellow lines and reduces the width of the roadway along the whole length of Church Walk that has no footpath to protect pedestrians from passing traffic.
In short, this overhanging foliage still remains a serious problem and is, literally, 'an accident waiting to happen'.
Now LLC knows about this problem and has tried, albeit unsuccessfully so far, to get it resolved (presumably by asking the property owner to resolve it), then if – God forbid – a pedestrian is killed along this stretch of roadway, the Council would be liable for prosecution for corporate manslaughter.
Essentially, this overhanging foliage needs to be cut back so that the double yellow lines are fully visible at surface level and also none of the foliage above surface level overhangs the double yellow lines vertically upwards. In other words, the full width of the carriageway must be restored.
If the Highways Department is unfamiliar with the pattern of usage of this stretch of carriageway and associated safety risks, I and other neighbours would be more than happy to host a site visit at any time convenient for one of your Inspectors to see the problem in more detail. Do, please, let me know if you would like to take advantage of this invitation.
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Great news, we’ve had a look at the issue and we have now passed to our Highways Officers for the team to assess what can be done to resolve the matter. We’ll let you know when the assessment has taken place.
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Just to let you know this issue has turned out to be more complicated than we first thought. We need to take this on for more investigation. We will let you know the situation as soon as we can. Thanks for bearing with us.
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A quick note to let you know that we’re taking enforcement action. This type of action can take a long time to complete so whilst it might not look like we’re working on the issue, we’re being busy behind the scenes. Thanks for your patience. As this progresses, we’ll update you when we can.
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Great news, we’ve had a look at the issue and we have now passed to our Highways Officers for the team to assess what can be done to resolve the matter. We’ll let you know when the assessment has taken place.
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.