Verges, weeds & hedges

Hounslow Highways is responsible for the maintenance of grass verges, shrubs and hedges within the Project Network.

Routine safety inspections of the grass verges, shrubs and hedges are undertaken when the roads and pavements are inspected, which can range from once per month to once a year, depending on the classification of the road.

The vegetation condition survey of the grass verges including shrub bed areas, rose beds and hedges, is undertaken annually which in turn generates the rolling programme of routine and planned maintenance works across the Project Network.

Hounslow Highways has also recently planted new wildflower biomes, which have not only brought some colour to the street scene, but also provided local insects and bees with new areas to thrive in.

If you would like to visit one of these wildflower locations, you can find all of them in the pdf at the bottom of this page.

Grass Cutting

Hounslow Highways carries out a regular maintenance programme of grassed areas which are located on the public highway.

The work is carried out to comply with the specification for grass cutting on the public highway, which is 12 cuts per year. The cuts are carried out between April and October. During this period and within the cutting specification we attend to the grass based on expected growth rates and weather conditions, therefore during hot prolonged periods the grass may not grow or in prolonged wet periods we may not be able to cut it. Therefore the grass will be cut to get the best out of the intended visits.

  • We will make sure that the grass verges are free from litter and debris before cutting.
  • We will not remove cut grass; however we will clear cuttings from paths by blowing the cut grass back onto the verges.
  • In the course of cutting we will inspect the grass for defects or vehicle overrun and find the right solution for repair and maintenance.
  • Major damage will be investigated further and reinstatement approvals will be sought from the Council.
  • All our grounds maintenance work is carried out by contractors on behalf of Hounslow Highways.
  • We will only attend to our Project Network which is designated public highway, generally this will be the adopted grassed area adjacent to the footway or carriageway, and for avoidance of doubt this will exclude the following:
    • We will not cut grass which is located in or on private property.
    • We will not cut grass in parks, public open space, schools or other Council-owned land such as Hounslow Housing areas. In these instances, please contact the Customer Services team at the London Borough of Hounslow on 0208 583 2000.

If you have any enquiries regarding the cutting of grass verges, please submit an enquiry online.

Shrub Beds

Hounslow Highways carries out a regular maintenance programme of shrub areas which are located on the adopted public highway.

  • Main pruning is carried out and completed during the winter months, at this time a quality inspection will be carried out and any dead plants will be removed. These will then be replaced in the suitable planting period.
  • During the winter months weeds and litter are cleared from the shrub beds
  • During the active growing season weed control is carried out using herbicide (see weed spraying)
  • During the active growing season into late summer shrub beds are pruned when needed in line with good horticultural practice. This could be to clear sight lines, footways/footpaths and maintain visibility at junctions. Dead weeds and litter are also removed.
  • In the course of cutting we will inspect the shrub beds for defects or vehicle overrun and find the right solution for repair and maintenance.
  • Major damage will be investigated further and reinstatement approvals will be sought from the Council.
  • All our grounds maintenance work is carried out by contractors on behalf of Hounslow Highways.
  • We would only attend to our Project Network which is designated adopted public highway, generally this will be the shrub area adjacent to the footway or carriageway.
  • We will not cut shrubs which are located in or on private property.
  • We will not cut shrubs in parks, public open space, schools or other Council-owned land such as Hounslow Homes areas. In these instances please contact the Customer Services Team at the London Borough of Hounslow on 0208 583 2000.

If you have any enquiries regarding shrub beds, please submit an enquiry online.

Hedges

Hounslow Highways carries out a regular maintenance programme of hedges which are located on the public highway.

  • Main pruning is carried out and completed during the winter months.
  • During the active growing season into late summer hedges are pruned if needed in line with good horticultural practice. This could be to clear sight lines, footpaths and maintain visibility at junctions. Trapped litter is removed at this time.
  • During the active nesting season we do not carry out hedge pruning. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to disturb nesting birds.
  • Smaller hedges or those with limited access are cut by hand in line with good horticultural practice.
  • Larger hedges and those on main roads when possible are cut by a flail (vehicle mounted cutter) in line with good horticultural practice.
  •  In the course of cutting we will inspect the hedges for defects or vehicle overrun and find the right solution for repair and maintenance.
  • Major damage will be investigated further and reinstatement approvals will be sought from the Council.
  • All our grounds maintenance work is carried out by contractors on behalf of Hounslow Highways.
  • We will only attend to our Project Network which is designated adopted public highway, generally this will be the hedge area adjacent to the footway or carriageway.
  • We will not cut hedges which are located in or on private property.
  • We will not cut hedges in parks, public open space, schools or other Council-owned land such as Hounslow Housing areas. In these instances please contact the Customer Services Team at the London Borough of Hounslow on 0208 583 2000.

If you have any enquiries regarding hedges, please submit an enquiry online. 

Overhanging Vegetation on the Public Highway

Hounslow Highways, on behalf of the council and under The Highways Act (Section 154), can require, by notice, the owner of a hedge, tree or shrub which overhangs the public highway in a dangerous or obstructive way to lop or cut it in order to remove the cause of the danger, obstruction or interference. This action must be taken within 14 days of the date of service of the notice. If the person on whom the notice is served fails to comply with it then Hounslow Highways will carry out the work and recover all expenses reasonably incurred.

Similarly if a hedge, tree or shrub is dead, damaged or diseased and because of its condition is liable to cause danger on the public highway, Hounslow Highways will require it to be removed by notice. If that notice is not complied with, Hounslow Highways will remove the offending vegetation and recover expenses accordingly.

If you would like to report a tree or vegetation overhanging a road or footway/footpath, please submit an enquiry online.

For more information about weed spraying in the borough, please visit our treatment of weeds page.

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