Road nuisances and obstructions

West Berkshire Council has powers under the Highways Act 1980 to serve notice to a business or person who commits the offence of obstructing the public highway.

Examples of obstructions we can act upon include:

• overhanging branches, hedges
• bushes and plants
• scaffolding or hoardings
• builders' skips
• tables and chairs
• advertising boards and signs
• stones or boulders protecting the verge
• goods displayed for sale outside shops (not on private land)

You can report obstructions on the road or pavement online.

Overhanging vegetation

Property owners have a responsibility to maintain trees and hedges that grow within their property boundary.

Should a tree or hedge overhang the highway, please refer to our hedge cutting guidance for actions the property owners might need to take. You can also find out about removing a hedge/hedgerow here.

You can report overgrown hedges, shrubs and vegetation on a road here.

Advertising boards ('A' boards)

All advertising boards on the highway are obstructions, however we do allow A boards under specific conditions.

It is important that the number, size and positioning of advertising boards are regulated. If not, then they can create hazards for the highway users particularly for those with impaired vision, mobility problems, the elderly or those with young children.

You can read our full conditions and guidance for A boards here.