§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Highways Agency authorised the mechanical cutting on the verge of the northbound carriageway of the Al2 trunk road Witham bypass of the hedge and shrubs adjoining that trunk road on the afternoon of Monday 7 June, thus exposing the advertising hoardings erected on land belonging to Braintree District Council adjacent to the trunk road: if so, why; and, if not, what action the agency proposes to take to deal with unauthorised trimming of hedges from its property. [HL2770]
§ Lord WhittyThe hedge along the A12-frontage is planted on land outside the highways boundary. Braintree District Council is the owner of the land on which the advertising signs stand and the hedge. Cutting of the hedge is therefore the concern of the district council.
There is evidence that some of the shrubbery and trees within the highway boundary near the hoardings has also been cut back. The Highways Agency did not authorise any cutting back and would not permit interference with landscaping on the trunk road to improve the visibility of the hoardings. The agency is seeking a formal undertaking from the district council that no further unauthorised cutting of the landscaping within the highway boundary will be carried out.