FEARS are growing for the safety of pedestrians crossing a Malvern road because vehicles are unable to see the traffic lights due to overhanging trees.
A concerned resident, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted the Observer saying that drivers heading away from the mini-roundabout at the junction of Pickersleigh Road and Madresfield Road could not see the settings on the lights until the very last moment.
He stated that on numerous occasions he had seen vehicles going through a red light due to the obstructions and slammed Worcestershire County Council for not dealing with the problem a year after he had first contacted them about the issue.
He added: “Must we wait until a pedestrian is killed crossing the road here before something is done?”
We approached Coun Caroline Bovey, town and district councillor for Pickersleigh ward, about the issue and she told the Observer the overhanging vegetation should be made a priority.
“Hedges and tress are left untended until they become a nuisance or worse, a danger as in the case with Pickersleigh Road.
“The problem often stems from a lack of knowledge as to who is actually responsible and sometimes I go full circle around the three councils and the Malvern Hills Trust before I discover ownership of the green space.
“Overgrown hedges are a danger to pedestrians who have to walk in the road to avoid them.
“Councils do their best to keep on top of cutting but often bits get overlooked.”
She added the overgrown trees on Pickersleigh Road were a clear hazard and priority should be given to cutting them.
Worcestershire County Council confirmed it had received a complaint about the overgrown trees in Pickersleigh Road and said action would be taken.
“Through conversation with the residents, our maintenance team has agreed a regular annual maintenance rota in this location,” said a county council spokesperson.
