OVERGROWN grass verges in Ilton are putting people’s lives at risk, it has been claimed this week.
Ilton parish council chairman David Amor said junctions off Cad Road are so overgrown motorists cannot see along blind bends.
He said: “Cutting costs could mean costing someone their life because they [Somerset County Council] are not keeping the grass verges properly maintained.
“When you are sat in your car, your vision of the junction is not very clear at all.”
Grass verges in Ilton.
A spokesman for the council said road verges were routinely cut as part of its annual environmental maintenance programme.
The spokesman added: “We can also take action sooner if there are safety concerns but it should be noted that hedges are usually the responsibility of private landowners to maintain and we will ask for them to be cut back if they are causing a hazard.”
Meanwhile, one communityminded firm in Chard has chopped back overgrown shrubbery which it said had engulfed the pavement and meant schoolchildren were walking on the road.
James Hudd.
Eagle Plant Hire in Beeching Close decided to tackle the foliage with a hedge trimmer so the children can walk to and from school safely.
Workshop manager Mark Whitworth said: “It was an accident waiting to happen, so we decided to cut it back.”
The county council says it encourages the public to report any problems with hedgerows, verges or other highway features by phoning 0845-345 9155 or visiting somerset.gov.uk so they can be inspected and dealt with appropriately.
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