Cut It Back!

Sight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust are encouraging people to cut back any trees, shrubs or hedges on their property that overhang pavements to help keep them clear for pedestrians and encouraging people to report it. SLC volunteer members are spearheading this campaign because 75 per cent of blind and partially sighted people reported that ‘Overhanging branches, overgrown hedges and vegetation are a real deterrent to people and a cause of accidents’ (Listening Month, 2022). This is because many blind and partially sighted people are forced to walk onto the road and risk injury whilst navigating the streets due to overgrown hedges, bushes and foliage. This impacts their confidence, independence, and ability to make safe journeys as part of  living full and independent lives.

To deliver their campaign, Sight Loss Council volunteers have produced a series of short videos highlighting the issue. They have also produced online guidance and resources, including around the best times of the year to cut foliage back and how to avoid an impact on local wildlife. They are also raising awareness in local media.