Bloody hedge cuttings!
le_boss
Posts: 183
Why the hell cant farmers put signs out when they cut hedges on minor roads??
On main roads they always use a sign to warn traffic, but from my experience they dont on minor roads! :x
On main roads they always use a sign to warn traffic, but from my experience they dont on minor roads! :x
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EXACTLY, at last someone else thinks this. And why cut hedges now,why not wait till we've finished riding. I always thought farmers were odd.The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.0 -
... because they don't care, it's that simple. When they get a bill for the cost of my inner tubes they'll care then.
Out of interest, has anyone successfully claimed cash from their local council over wheel damage due to potholes?
*edit - typoshttp://www.youtube.com/user/Eurobunneh - My Youtube channel.0 -
whats worserer is struggling to overtake one when it is doing its cutting thingMy pen won't write on the screen0
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Also in the "health and safety" world we live in I'm suprised they are allowed to cut hedges with an arm mounted, exposed flail mower. Cuttings, thorns etc go everywhere, try passing in a car - suicide on your bike. What happens if a flail comes off?0
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Farmers have had claims upheld against them for hedge cuttings. I've read it in CW in the past.0
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There is nothing more frustrating than a puncture as some of my earlier threads have covered but I am going to play devil's advocate (my father is a farmer so I feel somewhat obliged to comment.)
Why do farmers cut their hedges at this time of year? Because this is the time of year when it grows and needs trimming is a simple answer. There is a road safety element to it as well especuially on narrow country lanes with narrow or no verges as it helps to ensure visibility. Maintenance of hedges is crucial as the hedge provides a barrier both for livestock (when coupled with a fence) but also as a windbreak which helps to prevent soil erosion.
The period for hedge trimming is generally before harvest gets into full flow and then once the harvest is collected in as you can actually get to the inside of the hedge on the field side. Someone mentioned that the farmer should wait until you have finished cycling, but when is that unless you are fair weather?
Why not in spring? Because of birds nesting ands many farmers are now part of envrinomental management schemes such as The Country Stewardship Scheme where strict guidelines apply to when you can and can't perform certain activities.
Why not in winter? Because hedgerows cut at the wrong time of year will not recover and damage is caused to the structure of the hedges.
Why don't farmers put out signs to warn of hedge trimming - some do and some don't. Just out of interest what do you see as the benefit of the signs - is it so that you turn around when you see the signs and don't go down the roads, or do you keep a special look out for thorns?0 -
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Deleted for duplication..0
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Deleted for triplication - bloody systems...0
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i know someone who does some hedge cutting, they are only allowed to cut a certain times because of the wildlife etc nesting/living in the hedges so its really out of their hands as of when .0
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sparkins1972 wrote:There is nothing more frustrating than a puncture as some of my earlier threads have covered but I am going to play devil's advocate (my father is a farmer so I feel somewhat obliged to comment.)
Why do farmers cut their hedges at this time of year? Because this is the time of year when it grows and needs trimming is a simple answer. There is a road safety element to it as well especuially on narrow country lanes with narrow or no verges as it helps to ensure visibility. Maintenance of hedges is crucial as the hedge provides a barrier both for livestock (when coupled with a fence) but also as a windbreak which helps to prevent soil erosion.
The period for hedge trimming is generally before harvest gets into full flow and then once the harvest is collected in as you can actually get to the inside of the hedge on the field side. Someone mentioned that the farmer should wait until you have finished cycling, but when is that unless you are fair weather?
Why not in spring? Because of birds nesting ands many farmers are now part of envrinomental management schemes such as The Country Stewardship Scheme where strict guidelines apply to when you can and can't perform certain activities.
Why not in winter? Because hedgerows cut at the wrong time of year will not recover and damage is caused to the structure of the hedges.
Why don't farmers put out signs to warn of hedge trimming - some do and some don't. Just out of interest what do you see as the benefit of the signs - is it so that you turn around when you see the signs and don't go down the roads, or do you keep a special look out for thorns?
the reason i think they should put out signs is simple - its to warn people! not just cyclists but also motorists. on main roads they do this, but country lanes, where its only wide enough for 1 car, its a deathtrap. even if only doing 30, if a car goes around a bend and a bloody tractor is there cutting hedges...enough said.
i appreciate the fact hedges need trimming, but surely farmers could be considerate enough to put up signs...obviously not!0 -
they dont care, they think its funny when a car buckles against a tractor.0
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Guess what happened to me on the way home from work...........
Faster than a tent.......0 -
You saw 2 badgers drinking tea on a park bench?http://www.youtube.com/user/Eurobunneh - My Youtube channel.0
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Farmers have an obligation to use a blower to move any cuttings from the road to the verge. Many don't, but a farming contractor in our area, who is also a district councillor, does do this which largely alleviates the chances of a puncture. I believe claims against errant farmers have succeeded in the past and CTC are up to speed on this problem0
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I have recovered the cost of replacing a car tyre from the local council. Sidewall damaged in a pothole they knew about. Paid up without any fuss. Actually they put a new tyre on my wheelbarrow too; I didn't claim for it but it was on the same receipt and they refunded the lot despite what I'd said in the covering letter. :roll:0
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Lillywhite wrote:Farmers have an obligation to use a blower to move any cuttings from the road to the verge. Many don't, but a farming contractor in our area, who is also a district councillor, does do this which largely alleviates the chances of a puncture. I believe claims against errant farmers have succeeded in the past and CTC are up to speed on this problem
Cool! Looks like I can get the money back on my puncture repair patch - I'll see you in court Mr MacGregor Faster than a tent.......0 -
le_boss wrote:the reason i think they should put out signs is simple - its to warn people! not just cyclists but also motorists. on main roads they do this, but country lanes, where its only wide enough for 1 car, its a deathtrap. even if only doing 30, if a car goes around a bend and a bloody tractor is there cutting hedges...enough said.
As a cyclist-come-driver lifelong country dweller- Why's the driver in that example going round a (presumably) blind single track bend at a speed where he/she can't stop?*
*Not that I actually expect a valid answer, but something to think about.**
** For the hard of thinking, replace "a bloody tractor cutting hedges" in the original quote with "a bloody cyclist". Nuff said.0 -
zanes wrote:le_boss wrote:the reason i think they should put out signs is simple - its to warn people! not just cyclists but also motorists. on main roads they do this, but country lanes, where its only wide enough for 1 car, its a deathtrap. even if only doing 30, if a car goes around a bend and a bloody tractor is there cutting hedges...enough said.
As a cyclist-come-driver lifelong country dweller- Why's the driver in that example going round a (presumably) blind single track bend at a speed where he/she can't stop?*
*Not that I actually expect a valid answer, but something to think about.**
** For the hard of thinking, replace "a bloody tractor cutting hedges" in the original quote with "a bloody cyclist". Nuff said.
Exactly, or a horse. Or someone walking their dog.0 -
zanes wrote:le_boss wrote:the reason i think they should put out signs is simple - its to warn people! not just cyclists but also motorists. on main roads they do this, but country lanes, where its only wide enough for 1 car, its a deathtrap. even if only doing 30, if a car goes around a bend and a bloody tractor is there cutting hedges...enough said.
As a cyclist-come-driver lifelong country dweller- Why's the driver in that example going round a (presumably) blind single track bend at a speed where he/she can't stop?*
*Not that I actually expect a valid answer, but something to think about.**
** For the hard of thinking, replace "a bloody tractor cutting hedges" in the original quote with "a bloody cyclist". Nuff said.
Ok, i tried not to bite but what the hell:
1- doesnt matter what speed a car goes around any bend, they could be doing just 10mph which should be slow enough to stop, but if you have some moron in a tractor parked in the road with a hedge trimmer on the back chances are a collision will be close.
2 - cyclists dont leave a trail of thorns and cr'p on the road which can cause someone to have a serious accident.
3 - after looking in to it a bit more i understand that farmers are required to place signs on the road side to warn of hedges being cut (such a sign would no doubt prepare any driver for the danger of what lay ahead - thus preventing a collision - point 1)
i never once said i opposed farmers cutting hedges, they do need cutting at times, i just wish farmers were decent enough to put warnings out and try and clear up some of the cr'p instead of leaving it on the road. dont get me wrong, i know some do try to clean it up, but i would say thats the minority (it is in mid wales).
i appreciate a farmer has a hard job, but this is such a small thing and would make the roads a lot safer (country roads)0 -
le_boss wrote:
i never once said i opposed farmers cutting hedges, they do need cutting at times, i just wish farmers were decent enough to put warnings out and try and clear up some of the cr'p instead of leaving it on the road. dont get me wrong, i know some do try to clean it up, but i would say thats the minority (it is in mid wales).
I agree.
See the attached link and note under the Highways Act 1980, farmers have a legal obligation to remove all clippings from the highway which includes paths and cycleways.
http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk/page ... utting.htm0 -
le_boss wrote:zanes wrote:le_boss wrote:the reason i think they should put out signs is simple - its to warn people! not just cyclists but also motorists. on main roads they do this, but country lanes, where its only wide enough for 1 car, its a deathtrap. even if only doing 30, if a car goes around a bend and a bloody tractor is there cutting hedges...enough said.
As a cyclist-come-driver lifelong country dweller- Why's the driver in that example going round a (presumably) blind single track bend at a speed where he/she can't stop?*
*Not that I actually expect a valid answer, but something to think about.**
** For the hard of thinking, replace "a bloody tractor cutting hedges" in the original quote with "a bloody cyclist". Nuff said.
Ok, i tried not to bite but what the hell:
1- doesnt matter what speed a car goes around any bend, they could be doing just 10mph which should be slow enough to stop, but if you have some moron in a tractor parked in the road with a hedge trimmer on the back chances are a collision will be close.
2 - cyclists dont leave a trail of thorns and cr'p on the road which can cause someone to have a serious accident.
3 - after looking in to it a bit more i understand that farmers are required to place signs on the road side to warn of hedges being cut (such a sign would no doubt prepare any driver for the danger of what lay ahead - thus preventing a collision - point 1)
i never once said i opposed farmers cutting hedges, they do need cutting at times, i just wish farmers were decent enough to put warnings out and try and clear up some of the cr'p instead of leaving it on the road. dont get me wrong, i know some do try to clean it up, but i would say thats the minority (it is in mid wales).
i appreciate a farmer has a hard job, but this is such a small thing and would make the roads a lot safer (country roads)
I think you're missing the point I was trying to make, and perhaps took me as being a bit more aggressive than I meant (that was my fault and I'm sorry! :oops: )
I wasn't referring to the issue of farmers leaving clippings (certainly round my neck of the woods our local farmers are pretty good about clearing them up). The point I was making that in your initial example if the driver doesn't know (can't see or whatever) it doesn't matter what is round the bend (you or me out for a ride, kids, horse riders etc.) the car should not be going fast enough to not be able to come to a stop in time. Think of it this way; as you're going round a blind bend your effective visibly is what? 4 meters? How fast would you (or anyone else) drive in fog that restricts visibility to 4 meters?
I agree that clippings are annoying, but as previously mentioned, it's essential maintenance (for stock-proofing AND road safety), farmers are restricted in what times they can cut them and AFAICS it's part and parcel of the countryside; like horse sh*t on the road, loose livestock etc.
Seriously though, are loose hedge clippings the worse thing you encounter on the road?0
