A warning to cut back trees and hedges that overhang on to roads was issued today.

The Ministry of Public Works said that trimming to prevent vegetation from projecting into the roadways or sidewalks was the property owners’ responsibility.

A spokesman said: “Overhanging trees and hedges can cause safety hazards to road users including obstructed visibility, injury to waste collection personnel, pedestrians, pedal-cyclists, and bike riders, as well as damage to bus and truck windscreens.

He added: “Vegetation needs to be kept clear of a public road at a height not less than 4.9 metres - 16ft 1in - above the surface of the carriageway or 3 metres - 9ft 10in - above the surface of a pedestrian walkway or verge.”

The spokesman said: “Where problems stemming from private property are received, property owners will be informally asked to trim back their vegetation.

“Failure to act on these requests may result in the ministry exercising its legal authority to serve a statutory nuisance abatement notice on the homeowner.”

He added the ministry’s highways section cleaning teams tackled reports of vegetation in the road that posed a danger to road users.

The spokesman said crews also dealt with greenery and overhanging foliage on streets around the island.

He added: “Where government land is adjacent to the roadway, the road cleaning crew will also control those areas.”