Section 5.4 - Clearance of vegetation

HCC is responsible for maintaining PRoW appropriate to their use. The ability to use a PRoW may be affected by surface growth, encroaching or overhanging vegetation.

Overhanging vegetation growing in from a boundary hedge or from outside the boundary of a PRoW, is normally the responsibility of the landowner and may be considered an obstruction, see Protection and Enforcement.

Before the decision to clear the route is made consider whether it is necessary to undertake other Drainage and/or surfacing works. Cleared routes will require maintenance and it could be conceived a waste of this to embark on clearance work if all the good will be undone after a couple of growing seasons. On the other hand increased use will result in trampling which will, depending on the amount of use, help maintain the path.

Vegetation can be divided into woody or non-woody growth. This distinction between the two types of growth is important as the presence of one type or even both determines the maintenance commitment on the route. A number of species require special treatment in order to reduce risk associated with toxins in the plants. These are detailed in the appropriate section below.

5.4.1 Width of PROW

The width to which to clear PRoW is dependent on many factors such as the legal width, the status, the labour/machinery available, the time factor or the ecological impact of the clearance work. PRoW prone to overgrowth, once cleared of excessive growth, can be mown on a regular basis during the spring and summer months as part of a regular contract. Advice on the widths of paths can be found in Section 5.1.

5.4.2 Clearing woody growth

Woody growth can be used to describe scrub in the form of Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Elder, Holly, Rhododendron and Hazel or other small saplings and trees. This can be difficult to deal with because of its size. However, once done it requires less future maintenance and can be kept clear by regular mowing. The action taken depends on whether it is to be cleared by hand or mechanical means.

The most efficient and safe tools for removal by hand are the bow saw, with clippers and loppers needed to get through the outer branches to the stem. Stumps to be left should be cut to ground level. Larger stumps can be ground down to below ground level (requiring specialist machinery). If the stump is to be removed then cut to leave between 0.5m - 1.0m for leverage. Once cut remove for disposal and ensure the ground is level.

Stumps left proud of the ground are dangerous and should be removed where possible by cutting down between 0.5m - 1.0m and removed by vehicle or by hand. The hole left should be filled if necessary with material dug from the path and compacted by treading down. Stump removal disturbs the ground in a considerable way and steps must be taken to reinstate the ground after work is completed.

Mechanical clearance.

There are many methods of mechanical clearance which will be dependent on the resources available, for example:

Extreme care should be taken when operating any clearance tools, the risk assessments developed by RoW and CMS should be used.

5.4.3 Clearing non-woody growth

Non-woody growth includes grasses, Brambles, Nettles, Bracken and certain species of herbaceous plants. Growth is seasonal and unobstructed paths with free passage in winter often become difficult to negotiate or impassable at the peak of the summer growing season. The amount of work will often be dependent on the nature of the surface. It must also be remembered that many of the species have important ecological value due to their flowers and extensive cutting must be carefully thought out. If in any doubt about the ecological value contact HBRC.

Surface clearance is normally carried out as part of regular mowing contracts and ideally should be carried out twice a year. Certain routes may only get mown once a year and others more. The frequency should reflect the new priorities set out in the rights of way review.

Bracken

Bracken is easily cut or trampled in spring, the best time is mid June. A second cut should be done at the end of July to remove secondary growth. Cutting Bracken produces a denser frond but it is shorter and weak and a path through it can easily be followed. Bracken should not be cleared between August and October inclusive due to the release of spores which are known to be carcinogenic.

Giant Hogweed

Giant Hogweed is a large (up to five metres high) plant which can have dangerous effects to people and animals touching it. It is a relation of ordinary Hogweed and cow parsley, and looks vaguely like the latter: it differs in its potential height, the leaves are rather spikier, and the flower/seed heads are bigger. It is normally a biennial, but will live longer if cut back before producing seed. The plant is grown as an ornamental species in gardens, and can form large masses of plants. It is not a notifiable species, but it is illegal to introduce it into the wild.

When a person or animal touches any part of the plant a juice can pass onto the skin which then blisters. The extent of this irritation depends on the sensitivity of the individual and also on the amount of sunlight present. In some cases damage to the skin can be very serious and can recur over the course of several years. Contact should, therefore, be avoided at all times.

On discovery, consideration should be given to taping off the plants immediately to avoid danger to the public and clearance by specialists should be arranged as soon as possible. An attempt to do this by non-chemical means should be made first. All parts of the plants (including all seeds and roots) should be removed and disposed of appropriately off site by trained persons, wearing appropriate protective clothing. The contractor should be reminded of the dangers of the plant and the need to carry out the necessary precautions. Any plants which are nearby but not on the PROW should be removed at the same time, after consultation with the landowner, and preferably at his/her own cost, to avoid the plant spreading back onto the PROW.

If physical means of removal do not prove successful, it may be appropriate to make an exception to our normal rule of not using chemicals on PROWs. This would require appropriate measures to tape off the affected section and/or an emergency closure order. The work must be done by a trained and licensed contractor. The only herbicide which can control this species and which can be used near watercourses is glyphosate. The plants should be sprayed, at a rate of six litres per hectare, in April or May, when the plants are under one metre high but growing vigorously.

The site should be inspected regularly thereafter, as the plant can re-grow from seeds or small bits of root. An attempt should also be made to identify how the plant became established there. This is usually by way of seeds, which can travel long distances by wind, water, or on animals/vehicles. The landholder of any nearby or suspect sites should be reminded that it is illegal to allow the plant to spread into the wild, and, if necessary, can be warned of the likelihood of prosecution.

5.4.4 Disposal of material

Chipping on site is the preferred option for disposal of cut material. The chippings can then be removed, added to the surface, or blown onto the banks. Thorny material should not be added to the surface of the PRoW.

Where space allows, material can be stacked on site. Cut woody growth (branches and logs), can provide cover for wildlife but must not inconvenience path users. Non-woody growth has the advantage that it can be easily raked up and decomposes fairly rapidly. Grass Cuttings may be left in situ to decompose.

Wherever practically possible cut material removed from site should be deposited at either green composting sites or sites which collect green waste which then get transferred to green composting sites.

Burning is not recommended, material should be removed rather than burnt.