Overgrown foliage on Sheffield road is 'accident waiting to happen'

Councillors have backed residents fighting for overgrown foliage to be cut back.
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Sue Winger said overgrown foliage on Tofts Lane, Stannington, was making blind bends even worse and reversing out of her drive dangerous.

She contacted Streets Ahead - who maintain the city's highways on behalf of Sheffield Council - weeks ago but has yet to see any action taken.

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She met today with local ward councillors who gave their support.

Overgrown foliage Tofts Lane. Picture Scott MerryleesOvergrown foliage Tofts Lane. Picture Scott Merrylees
Overgrown foliage Tofts Lane. Picture Scott Merrylees

Councillor Richard Williams has visited the site several times and urged the council to clear it up soonest.

He said: “I agree with local residents - this is an accident waiting to happen. I have asked officers to ensure that the overgrown foliage is cleared as soon as possible so that visibility will be improved.”

They were also due to meet with a councillor officer but they were self isolating due to Covid-19, so Coun Williams took numerous photographs to send to them.

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Ms Winger said she hopes the issue will now be dealt with quickly and that there is also talk of reducing the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph to deal with speeding cars.

Overgrown foliage Tofts Lane. Picture Scott MerryleesOvergrown foliage Tofts Lane. Picture Scott Merrylees
Overgrown foliage Tofts Lane. Picture Scott Merrylees

The council said on its website while most roadside trees are maintained by Streets Ahead, trees and hedges are usually the responsibility of land owners.

But under the Highways Act 1980, it is the council's responsibility to remove obstructions on the highway. In some cases, it will write to land owners and ask for it to be cut back, in others it will remove overhanging trees or hedges.

Sheffield Council was contacted for comment.