Call for obstructions to be removed from verges

IMG_1372

A group tasked with encouraging access to the Cheshire East countryside is calling on house owners in rural areas to stop obstructing the verges outside their homes.

Cheshire East Local Access Forum (CELAF) pointed out that roadside verges are generally part of the highway and only very rarely belong to the properties which they front.

It says that putting large stones, posts or chain fences on verges is a potentially dangerous practice and prevents cyclists, horse riders, carriage drivers and disability vehicle users from using them as a refuge when faced with hazards.

The Chairman of CELAF, Bob Anderson, adds: "Home owners may not be aware that they are technically obstructing part of the highway. We understand that people wish to make the front of their homes look smart and don't want vehicles parking on the verge. However, the verges serve an important safety purpose and the house owners' behaviour impacts on other road users, to their detriment. We have been told that farmers too are unhappy about the practice because it means they are unable to get large agricultural vehicles partially off the road to allow other traffic to pass."

"Local authorities have the right to order the removal of verge obstructions and in some parts of the country they take firm action against offenders. We are appealing to the people of Cheshire East who have put obstructions on the verges outside their homes to remove them in the interests of the safety of people who need to use rural roads."

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council's Highways Department said: "The Highway Authority has powers to remove stones, posts, railings etc. which are placed in the highway and are considered to be a hazard or obstruction. The enforcement process involves serving formal notice to the householder requesting removal. If no action is taken, we can then take a complaint to the magistrates court."

Tags:
Cheshire East Council, Cheshire East Local Access Forum
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Tony Hughes
Thursday 25th June 2015 at 8:22 pm
I understand the points made in this article, but if road users in the area were generally a considerate bunch, home owners wouldn't go to the expense of putting up obstructions. I would love to put something outside my house to stop inconsiderate drivers using the pavement as a parking zone. The road is for cars. If you want to park or stop your car you should park it on the road, not on verges or pavements. It's in the councils' power to adopt laws to make bad parking an offence , but they choose not to do that. Which leaves pedestrians, wheelchairs and buggies to endanger themselves unnecessarily on the highways. So CELAF, if you want us to help you, perhaps you could help us too?
James MacDonald
Thursday 25th June 2015 at 8:55 pm
I agree with Tony 100%. I think there is some new legislation coming soon which will make parking on pavements illegal across all parts of England and Wales....
Dave Cash
Friday 26th June 2015 at 3:11 am
James, it has been a criminal offence to obstruct the Queens Highway (carriageway, footway and verges) for many years, unless specifically signed. enforceable by Police today with FPN and poss removal of obstruction, be it vehicle, wheelie bin etc
Many Council binmen flout this when empty wheelies are left on footpaths, because they say they have no right to trespass on private property, even when it could be returned to just inside householder's property boundary, where it should have been left awaiting collection.
Compensation for injury/damage caused by any obstruction could be claimable from any person/organisation resp for it's placement.
CEC CEOs cannot issue PCNs for decriminalis Contraventions 62 or 63 (footway parking). They did not include it with their application for de-criminalised enforcemement as it would have required amendment of all their ind Traffic Reg Orders (TROs).
Howard Piltz
Friday 26th June 2015 at 10:49 am
First - the original post. NO no no!!, keep off the grass, for pity' sake. If you can't park your car in an appropriate place - Take it home Parking? As above, but with CEC please police the situation better.
Steven Kingsby
Friday 26th June 2015 at 3:26 pm
It seems some house owners don't want other peoples cars outside their homes but it's OK for their own.
It's becoming the "norm" for these people to have their own extra parking spaces. As is becoming increasingly common on Handforth Road.
Ade Whitaker
Saturday 27th June 2015 at 9:51 am
If this new regulation is introduced banning parking on pavements then I hope that common sense will prevail and Wilmslow introduces a by-law to allow Range Rovers to carry on parking where they like. Otherwise confusion and chaos will reign ;-)
Nick Jones
Saturday 27th June 2015 at 4:03 pm
"Local authorities have the right to order the removal of verge obstructions and in some parts of the country they take firm action against OFFENDERS "...... strong language.......
Of course its OK when CEC abandons two tree trunks in the road..... Earl Rd.... they set a fine precedent..........and what if previous residents or person or persons unknown were responsible for these devices ?? Really !!.......Common sense surely must prevail ( as Tony Hughes alludes to )......Is this the most serious issue ongoing in Wilmslow ?? Good job there is no more pressing matters for this Quango to attend to...... Have there been fatalities / injuries / damage caused to vehicles to trigger this non-event ?? If so .Sounds like an urgent requirement for more yellow lines every where !!.....and CEC are very good at doing that as well ..... particularly when they are not needed.........