Help keep streets safe by showing your support for #CutItBack

Sight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust are asking the public, including homeowners, local councils and neighbours, to keep our streets clear from overgrown hedges and foliage. We are also asking everyone to help raise awareness of the danger they can cause.  

Did you know, 75 per cent of blind and partially sighted (BPS) people told us that overhanging branches, overgrown hedges, and vegetation pose significant obstacles and safety hazards (Listening Month, 2022). 

Despite this statistic, untrimmed foliage remains a significant barrier to blind and partially sighted (BPS) people’s confidence in navigating our streets. Especially when they are forced to step onto the road in urban areas, which could cause accidents. It can therefore, reduce confidence to travel independently and safely to get to work, see friends and live full, independent lives.  

How you can support our #CutItBack campaign 

  • Raise awareness by sharing our suggested #CutItBack social media post with your networks on your social media channels to help keep streets safe.  
  • Ask people to cut it back and share why it’s important. 
  • Report overgrown foliage in your area through the FixMyStreet app or to your local council directly.  

Using Fix My Street  

Owned by the not-for-profit, social enterprise, mySociety the public can report any type of street clutter, including overgrown foliage, via the Fix My Street app. This is done by pinning the affected area on the app’s map and uploading images of the problem.  

FixMyStreet will report the problem to the local council of your area. Additionally, they will post updates online about the issues and whether it has been resolved.  

Find out more about the Fix My Street app by watching this video: 

Reporting to your local council  

Local councils are legally required to address reports of overgrown foliage, but unfortunately, each authority operates slightly differently.  

We recommend you look on their website directly. You can check out our template letter for guidance on what to say.  

Why is this important? 

Sussex SLC member, Clinton walking with his long cane, into a large garden hedge which is protruding onto the pavement.

Sussex SLC member, Clinton shown walking with his cane, into a large hedge which is protruding onto the pavement

BPS people rely on using clear pathways and building lines to navigate the pavement safely in order to avoid getting lost or disorientated.  

Our Sight Loss Council members have shared their experiences of dealing with overhanging branches and why clutter-free streets are so important.  

Sussex SLC member, Linn, said: 

Linn Davies, East Sussex SLC volunteer is sitting at a table with a white mug in front of her. She is wearing a black and white striped t-shirt and smiling at the camera.“There was a monkey-puzzle tree growing through the wall of a garden which I used to pass every day when I walked my daughter to school. A monkey-puzzle tree has very sharp needles. On several occasions, I got scratched and started bleeding. It also tore the fabric of several items of clothing which I had to replace. I’ve also had overgrown hedges hitting me in the face several times. 

“It’s so important to #CutItBack so that nobody gets injured or inconvenienced in other ways. The solution is so simple.”

Birmingham and Black Country SLC member, Steve, said: 

Headshot of Steve Keith, Birmingham SLC member.“Now that summer is here and we’re having a combination of wet weather then warm weather, lots of hedges, bushes and trees have sprouted lots of new growth. This, in places, has been left to grow over paths and walkways.

“As a result, when I am navigating a footpath with my cane, I am regularly walking into overhanging foliage, resulting in scratches to my face and arms. In some instances, hedges have grown so large that I have no choice other than to walk into the road to get around it. This subsequently puts me at high risk of being hit by a car or cyclist. This can, as you can imagine, be quite frightening, especially on busy roads!

“In addition, overhanging foliage can cause a hazard at junctions and pedestrian crossings, as the oncoming traffic are unable to identify me waiting on the side of the road due to the trees blocking the view. 

“I also have been attacked by insects on a number of occasions that have live in these overhanging bushes which creates more anxiety for me when trying to navigate safely along the path. Sometimes I find this to be disorientating and struggle to concentrate on how to navigate around the obstacles on the pavement.” 

South West London SLC member and London resident Nikki, who is registered blind shares why it’s important. She said:  

Headshot of South West London SLC member, Nikki Hughes. Nikki is seated, against a cream background. She is sitting at an angle, but facing the camera and smiling.“I would urge everyone to get involved in our cut it back campaign. Not having safe and accessible streets means I am unable to access the world independently.

“It can be extremely frightening to come across overgrown bushes, which sometimes covers the pavement causing me to end up in the road, praying that a car will see me. It can also be painful and disorientating to be hit in the face by overgrown vegetation. 

“Everyone should be able to pop to the local shop free and independently and something so simple can be life changing for us.” 

Everyone deserves to navigate the streets safely.  

We invite and encourage you to join our #CutItBack campaign to keep our streets safe and accessible for all.  

Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England, is pictured next to a large hedge which is overhanging into the pavement. Dave is holding his long cane and looking at the camera.

Engagement Manager Dave stands next to an overgrown hedge with his cane

 

Learn more:

#CutItBack

Publication date: 21 July 2025

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