The Ministry of Public Works has reminded owners of roadside properties that they are responsible for trimming back overhanging trees and hedges,

A spokeswoman said that cleaning teams had been working additional hours to help cut back vegetation which had encroached onto public roads.

“Overhanging vegetation can cause safety hazards to road users including obstructed visibility, damage to bus and truck windscreens, and injury to pedestrians, cycle riders and waste collection personnel,” she added.

The spokeswoman said that vegetation needs to be kept clear at least 4.9 metres (16ft 1in) above the road surface, or 3 metres (9ft 10in) above the surface of a pedestrian walkway or verge.

If property owners do not heed requests to trim back their vegetation in reported problem areas, she added that the Ministry can serve a statutory nuisance abatement notice.