Hertfordshire County Council has announced a mid-year reshuffle of its highways work to confront a surge in vegetation growth that has been blocking pavements and cycleways across the county.
What is changing
At a full council meeting on Tuesday, the authority said it will reduce the frequency of its bollard washing programme and reallocate that capacity to cutting back overgrown hedges, trees and other undergrowth. In addition, the council plans to defer certain non-essential traffic signal upgrades so that money and staff time can be used on immediate vegetation clearance and extra repairs to footpaths and cycleways, including routes used by schoolchildren.
Cabinet member for highways, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, told councillors the move was in response to the unusual combination of heavy rain followed by hot weather that has encouraged rapid plant growth.
“Like other Herts residents, I too have seen the spread of vegetation growth with heavy rain followed by hot weather. As a result, it’s only right that we have acted mid-year to address this, whilst not affecting our planned Integrated Works Programme,” he said.
Practical effects for residents
The council says the changes will preserve its main resurfacing commitments under the Integrated Works Programme while making a visible difference to the usability of local streets. Residents are being reminded that landowners remain responsible for keeping hedges and trees trimmed so they do not obstruct pavements or carriageways.
- Less frequent bollard washing, replaced by vegetation clearance where needed
- Some non-essential traffic signal upgrades postponed
- More repairs to footpaths, cycleways and school routes within the year
Why the council acted now
The authority said the shift is intended to make “every pound work harder for residents” by making relatively small changes to existing programmes to tackle a problem that is affecting walking and cycling access. The council emphasised the work would not derail already planned resurfacing of roads and footways.
| Programme | Change |
|---|---|
| Bollard washing | Reduced frequency; resources moved to vegetation control |
| Traffic signal upgrades | Non-essential upgrades deferred |
| Footpath & cycleway repairs | Increased repairs, including to school routes |
Cllr Giles-Medhurst urged householders and landowners to play their part by ensuring hedges and trees bordering public footways and roads are kept clear. He said the council will continue to remind residents of their responsibilities.
For parents, cyclists and pedestrians, the changes should mean clearer, safer routes in the short term while longer-term plans for the road network proceed as scheduled.
