Branchage – What is it?
By St Saviours Roads Committee
At least twice a year the Parish is bound in law (Loi (1914) Sur La Voirie) to inspect every road and footpath administered by the parish to ensure the highways are properly maintained.
The Maintenance of the roads and footpaths is overseen by the Roads Committee, which is in office for a period of three years. Each committee is made up of the Connétable, the Rector of the Parish and three elected members voted in at a Parish Assembly and chosen from Parishioners who wish to serve.
The Committee is supported by twelve Roads Inspectors, two for each vingtaine, again voted in at a Parish Assembly for three years, by Parishioners.
All elected Committee Members and Roads Inspectors have to take an Oath of Office in the Royal Court prior to commencing their term of service.
Prospective Committee Members and Inspectors are advised to obtain a “job description” prior to offering their services as the position can require considerable time and the ability to attend daytime and evening meetings. It is a position not to be undertaken lightly and requires serious commitment.
Prior to each inspection the Inspectors visit every property and try to identify any infraction. In case the oversight had not been noticed by the occupier, the inspector will try and have a word with the occupier and issue a polite notice detailing the problem and confirming the date when the official Branchage visit will take place.
It is not the Committee’s idea to catch people out and fine them but to help and advise. No fines would be a perfect outcome.
However, for the few who, for whatever reason, do not comply on the day of the Branchage visit as prescribed in the Law, the Connétable will issue a letter by hand on the day informing them that the warning has not been attended to and they are given eight days to comply.
The letter also states that if the Infraction is not made good within the eight days, then the occupier will be subject to a fine.
The Committee will issue a nominal fine for a first offender but serial offenders could be fined £100 and possibly have the Parish make good on their behalf and at the occupier’s expense.
As previously stated, the Committee does not want to fine anyone and try their best to persuade and inform occupiers in a friendly manner.
The occupiers are also reminded that it is not sufficient to just cut back the trees and bushes but also to clear up the debris afterwards.
As a reminder, the requirements are simple. For pavements and walkways, the clearance above the surface is 8 feet or 2.44m and for the Roads 12 feet or 3.6m. Clearance must be from the base of the surface where it joins a bank or wall, vertically from that point. The hedge must not lean out from the bottom.
Branchage dates set for this year are 2 JULY and 17 SEPTEMBER 2025.
If you are unsure of what is required, please give the Parish Hall a ring and an Inspector or Committee Member will pop round and advise. Remember, the reason for the Branchage is to make the footpaths and roadways safe in your Parish.
The Parish also carries out an inspection each February, specifically on the Roads to ensure each is in good order after the winter weather, especially regarding potholes.
The inspection also targets road finish, kerbing, signage, road markings, road lighting, drainage and any other defect.
The items are listed and the parish team begin to make good, starting with the potholes. Last year, all defects were repaired within eight weeks of the final list being completed. The aim is to repair each defect before the busy summer months.
So, here’s wishing all occupiers a successful and fine free Branchage.
Remember, if you are unsure of what to do, please get in touch.
Kind regards
ST SAVIOUR ROADS COMMITTEE
