Manspreading and Nappy valley houses' hedges

[Paulette]

This might sound like a bizarre thing to think about, but I've always been shocked that people trim their front house hedges so that they take half the pavement instead of half of their garden. It reminds me of manspreading in the tube in the sense that some people just seem comfortable taking more public space than they really need.

Now that I am thinking of redoing my front garden, I wonder what is the consensus? Is it socially acceptable? Something that annoys everybody? Does it say "Arrogant"? Or nobody cares?

[windmill26]

I find it very annoying.Pavements are already very small and we certainly don't need the hedges taking over!

[Goldhawk]

Security wise you are better off without a hedge

[Paulette]

Security wise you are better off without a hedge

I know but Gosh I do value some sort of privacy and yet I want some light in. Having the hedges further away also helps to get more light in. I can see why people do it. I just wonder whether people notice and care at all.

[daddydaycarerocks]

Contact the council and they will organise for any overhang of the pavement to be sorted out by the owner

[snowpea]

Thansk daddydaycarerocka that is great news... I will now report the fee that cause the greatest problem!

[mumbelievable]

Contact the council and they will organise for any overhang of the pavement to be sorted out by the owner
or they sometimes do it if its urgent.

It can be reported using the amazing and free 'Wandsorth Report It' APP.

Please do download it, as you can report graffiti, a host of street problems and also many rubbish issues (fly tipping, litter bins overflowing, dirty streets etc). It takes 30 seconds and the council then sort the problem very quickly

[Needcoffeenow]

Overhanging hedges (one of which was spikey) used to cause daily problems for our Walking Bus. The council were helpful and cut them back from time to time but not enough. Presumably the hedge owners never actually try walking past their own property!

[dudette]

I agree. In fact I wish we had laws to make it compulsory to maintain the outside of your property. There’s a road near me where one side is privately owned houses and they all look immaculate and the other side is houses divided into flats and the landlords don’t seem to feel any obligation to make them look presentable.

[janee]

It always amazes me that there is so little consideration for the blind and disabled while walking the pavements of Wandsworth. I suspect some of the worst hedge spreaders are absentee landlords but I have great difficulty in understanding the incredible selfishness of those who have carefully trimmed hedges which take up half the pavement, presumably in order to leave as much space for their own front garden as possible.

Thanks for the tip about contacting the council. Harbut Road near me is one of the worst. This appears to be the link: https://forms.wandsworth.gov.uk/ufs/ufs ... 9920162844

[Alchemy]

It can be reported using the amazing and free 'Wandsorth Report It' APP.

Please do download it, as you can report graffiti, a host of street problems and also many rubbish issues (fly tipping, litter bins overflowing, dirty streets etc). It takes 30 seconds and the council then sort the problem very quickly

Agree, this is really helpful and easier to use than the website, plus you can do so on the spot rather than wait until you get home.

Details and download links here: http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/20024 ... ort_it_app

I reported a massively overgrown tree and hour ago, and it's already been actioned.

[sloaney donkey]

If the hedges cause an accident then take it to a claims management company.

As people will know, I am partially sighted and one of those horrid people dumping their xmas trees outside their homes (and blaming the council for not picking it up) caused me an accident.

I went to a claims management company and am pursuing a case against a householder on a 'no win no fee' basis. The defendant household has passed it to their insurers but their insurers are only offering £1.5k. So it is going to court unless the insurer raises their offer.

I should get c£3k for a trip caused by householder negligence. Minimum.

[sloaney donkey]

£3k. Minimum.

[janee]

Any progress, Sloaney Pony? Good luck.

[sloaney donkey]

Yeah ... I got a letter saying the judge awarded me £3,450 in wandsworth county court last week. Cheque should follow. From the insurers of that house.

I am also writing to the employer of the guy who was rude at the house. And all his colleagues. His employer is a well-known name and I am putting it right out there that his negligence hurt blind people. Let's see what his boss says about that, eh?

Nappy Valley great and good - don't leave Christmas trees out again. Especially when I am walking down the road.