Everyone should be able to walk down the street without risk of being hit in the face with overhanging vegetation. Unfortunately for residents like Nick, this hasn’t always been the case.  

Overgrown bushes and shrubbery in private gardens can create serious obstacles for some pedestrians – especially those who are visually impaired. In fact, a campaign found that more than 75% of blind and partially sighted people reported overgrown hedges and foliage as a ‘real deterrent’ to venturing out and a frequent cause of accidents.  

As we enter the colder and wetter months, it’s important to pay particular attention to any trees, hedges, and shrubs which overhang a pavement or road. Wet conditions can weigh down leaves on trees and bushes, creating extra hazards for pedestrians. This is a particular and reoccurring challenge for Acton resident, Nick Wilson, who is visually impaired. 

‘It’s a bigger problem than people think’ 

Nick has firsthand experience of nearly injuring himself due to overhanging vegetation. “It’s a bigger problem than people think,” Nick told us.   

Nick relies on clear paths to get to where he needs to be without getting hurt or confused. Overgrown shrubbery is increasingly making this aspect of his life difficult.  

“If you can’t see the vegetation as you’re walking down the street, if it’s a rose bush for example, and you can get it right in the face, it’s dangerous. One caught me just below the eye this summer. It’s very scary when that happens and it makes navigating pavements really, really hard.” 

However, it’s not only overhanging vegetation that causes a risk, but also overgrown shrubbery, especially for people with other disabilities, wheelchairs, and push chairs.  

“On the way to the pharmacy, I often see my neighbour who is in a wheelchair coming back the other way, and we are both in the middle of the street because neither of us can use the pavement.”

“I want to make more people aware that not everyone can easily navigate overgrowing and overhanging shrubbery, it’s easy if you can see and it’s easy if you are mobile, but it is not easy if you’re not mobile”, Nick shared.

How can I help? 

Residents can help keep pavements safe by trimming back any greenery that encroaches on public walkways. While the council can request the removal of vegetation that obstructs pedestrians, private landowners are responsible for maintaining their trees and hedges to prevent overhanging. Residents can complete an online form to request equipment to help clean their street.

The council’s garden waste collection service is being paused from December to March, but residents can take their garden waste to the Greenford Road Reuse and Recycling Centre or Abbey Road Reuse and Recycling Centre in Park Royal or compost their garden waste.

Report it 

You can help by reporting either a tree problem or grass verge and shrub maintenance problem to the council using the Love Clean Streets app on your mobile device.  

Keeping the borough safe and walkable to all 

Councillor Paul Driscoll, the council’s cabinet member for climate action, said: “Keeping our pavements clear is essential for the safety and accessibility of our community. Residents can help by trimming back overgrown hedges and reporting any issues through the Love Clean Streets app. This small act of consideration can make a big difference not only for blind and partially sighted residents, but for the wider community.  

“The council is committed to maintaining safer streets for everyone, but we need your help to achieve this. Together, we can prevent accidents and create a safer environment for everyone.” 

Support the #CutItBack campaign 

Nick has volunteered with the Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT), a national sight loss charity which helps blind and partially sighted people with employment and education. 

TPT funds regional Sight Loss Councils (SLC), regional groups led by blind and partially sighted people. Together, they work with organisations to ensure what they do is accessible and inclusive. SLCs’ #CutItBack campaign aims to enable blind and partially sighted people to navigate the streets safely, independently, and with confidence, encouraging residents to cut back and report overgrown foliage  

You can learn how to support the campaign by visiting SLC’s website and reporting issues to the council via the app.