Closed
Grass verge - Damaged previously
Reported in the Verges - Damaged by Vehicles category anonymously at 14:59, Sun 18 August 2019
Sent to Northamptonshire Highways 2 minutes later. ref: 1735976.
Been like this since last year. Council removed a fallen tree around Christmas time. The truck parked on the grass verge outside the properties 9 -11, the weight of the truck and tree made it un-level and deep holes which have never been filled.
Updates
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Thank you for reporting a fault on the highway. We will use the information you have provided to assess and prioritise this fault in accordance with our published response times for fault reports.
State changed to: Investigating
Posted by Northamptonshire Highways at 15:00, Sun 18 August 2019
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Thank you for your enquiry and photographs regarding the removal of a tree and vehicles parking on the grass verge on Blenheim Road in Northampton. Any new planting of trees, other than as part of a highway landscaping scheme promoted by Northamptonshire County Council, will rest in perpetuity with the respective Borough, District, Town or Parish Council. Therefore it may be possible for Northampton Borough Council to fund a new tree, though this would need to be with our agreement and will be dependent on the relevant cost, location and specific type of tree etc. Unfortunately we are currently unable to order any new highway tree-related works ourselves at present. However, depending on certain conditions, the planting of a replacement tree is possible with the issuing of licence to the Borough Council. Therefore in the first instance you can visit their website at www.northampton.gov.uk and/or you may wish to contact the Street Care Services at Northampton Borough Council directly between the hours of 9.00 and 5.00 by telephone on 0300 330 7000 or write to them at: Northampton Borough Council, The Guildhall, Northampton, NN1 1DE. If they are happy to pursue your request, then they simply just need to contact us for the licence and provide the necessary funding for the purchase of the tree and necessary planting work on the roadside grass verge. The issue of people driving and parking vehicles on grass verges is one which affects roads all over the UK and reflects the continuing growth in commercial and private vehicle ownership. Undoubtedly this rise in car use on ours roads, together with increases in parking limitations in certain areas of towns and villages, residential visitors (especially during school and seasonal holidays), utility services, postal and delivery vehicles etc. in our county, will contribute to motorists having to find convenient parking areas. Regrettably Northamptonshire County Council no longer consider installing ‘No Parking’ type signs or such measures as wooden posts, bollards or barriers to prevent parking on grass verges to be a priority. Legally it is not an offence to park a motor vehicle, (other than an HGV), on a grass verge unless it causes an obstruction of the highway or there are parking restrictions in place e.g. double yellow lines or a byelaw is in force prohibiting it. Parking on a verge or footway would be a criminal offence if there is clear evidence of willful obstruction or causing a danger or obstruction to persons or property and where it is deemed not possible for drivers to safely manoeuvre, pedestrians to pass unhindered along the footway or that access to public or private property is impeded. However, if residents feel that road safety may be compromised by the regular inappropriate parking of vehicles on this neighbourhood, we normally would suggest that initially they may wish to inform the owners of the offending vehicles, if known, first and explain the concern that their parking is causing. If this suggestion is not practicable or proves ineffective and parking issues continue at this location, then the best way forward would then be for them to contact Northamptonshire Police. Parking a vehicle inappropriately where it is deemed not possible for drivers to safely manoeuvre, pedestrians to pass unhindered along the footway or that access to public or private property is impeded, should be reported to Northamptonshire Police’s Safer Community Team on 101 or via the Northamptonshire Police website. It is also worth mentioning that if any particular vehicle is proven to have no road tax (members of the public can check if a vehicle is taxed and has a valid MOT on the DVLA website, www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax) or the vehicle has not moved for some time and appears to have no owner, then this would also be an police enforcement issue and can be processed as an abandoned vehicle. To report an abandoned vehicle please contact ELVIS (End of Life Vehicle Impound Scheme) on 08456 121 999, or email: elvis.recovery@northants.police.uk Nevertheless, we do understand that some verges may look aesthetically messy and unsightly, especially after the typical wet or wintery weather. Therefore if there is significantly damage to a roadside grass verge, this can also be reported on the Northamptonshire County Council’s online ‘Street Doctor’ system https://www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/ councilservices/ northamptonshire-highways/ roads-and-streets/ Pages/ report-highway-problem.aspx for consideration under our annual maintenance programme for re-seeding (or re-turf if particularly muddy/roiled) and within the constraints of the Northamptonshire Highways financial budget.
Posted by Northamptonshire Highways at 08:58, Thu 22 August 2019
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Nothing was said about planing new trees. The problem is what the council have already done to the grass verge as explained.
Not sure if the response was copied and pasted? Looks like it.
Can I get a proper response to why this hasn’t been fixed?
Posted anonymously at 16:44, Mon 9 September 2019
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Following an on-site risk based assessment there is no action required at this time.
State changed to: No further action
Posted by Northamptonshire Highways at 11:06, Tue 10 September 2019
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.