what to do with grass verge that people keep driving on!?

what to do with grass verge that people keep driving on!?

Author
Discussion

Nick_MSM

681 posts

186 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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As annoying as it is, I'd be tempted to leave it. In a world of claims, fraudsters and I've hurt myself through being stupid but it's your fault, I'd be concerned that some idiot would drive into a rock/what-have-you and try it on with a claim etc.


herewego

8,814 posts

213 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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Is that your entrance by the telegraph pole? Maybe plant a bush either side of the entrance and trim it to define both the entrance and the edge of the road.

R8Steve

4,150 posts

175 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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strath44 said:
thanks for all the feedback, I contacted the council because I wanted to fit kerb as it seemed the most sensible option however they said that it is not a 30mph that if someone hit the kerb and flipped the car it would be my fault which is an interesting comment! I guess I will look into boulders painted white etc however they IMO look a bit rubbish and are a pain to cut the grass around!
If they think a kerb is a bad idea i can't imagine boulders would be much better.

colin_p

4,503 posts

212 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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Some 2" x 2" or 50mm x 50mm timber stakes, about 12" or 300mm high above ground, painted white and hammered in at say 6' or 1.8m centers. Maybe even clip a bit of decorative chain between them. You could even put some reflectors on them.

I think it is the next most common way after white painted rocks.

They will also easily break if hit, are cheap and easy to do.

Swervin_Mervin

4,452 posts

238 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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vanordinaire said:
strath44 said:
thanks, I'm told by the council i own it!
Looking at the picture, I very much doubt whether you do.
You may own the solum (the land beneath what is there) but usually responsibility for the verge is the responsibility of the Roads Authority. The adopted road (which the Roads Authority are responsible for) usually consists of the tar surface and the verges either side either to a fixed boundary or for a prescribed distance back from the roadside, whichever is nearest (in your case, probably the wall). Most Councils are happy to shrug off responsibility for verges if they think someone else such as the neighbouring landowner will pick it up but if you ask to see their adopted roads register, you should be able to get a definitive answer.
Saying that, if you get it in writing from them that it is yours to do with as you wish (to protect yourself for the future) you can do all sorts to stop people driving on it. I had similar a few years ago and levelled the ground off and parked a few antique agricultural implements along it right up to the road edge. As well as stopping people parking there, it also made most slow down as they passed the house as they didn't want a scrape along the side of their car from an old plough.
Agree with the first part of this - you may own it but that looks like it's probably actually adopted. You should check properly with the Authority before doing anything - if you do anything within the verge and it turns out it is adopted then you could find yourself in trouble.

Mothersruin

8,573 posts

99 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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I wonder why people are driving on grass rather than the road.

strath44

Original Poster:

1,358 posts

148 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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Unfortunately timber lorries have started using our B road to clear a huge forest and they drive onto it to let people pass.

Jonesy23

4,650 posts

136 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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strath44 said:
Unfortunately timber lorries have started using our B road to clear a huge forest and they drive onto it to let people pass.
Well if that's the case a kerb isn't going to do much to deter them and neither will anything like a wooden post or bush. You'll need the large rocks or lumps of concrete to put them off a little.

As a quick solution I'd go for the bucket-cast lumps of concrete painted white, and just placed loose on the ground. Though unlike the example earlier I'd use a big builders bucket to do the casting.

strath44

Original Poster:

1,358 posts

148 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
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Unfortunately timber lorries have started using our B road to clear a huge forest and they drive onto it to let people pass.

Drogo

719 posts

217 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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I'd try getting in touch with whoever is running the timber extract, maybe they'd sort it out.
Do they not have some "environmental impact statement" that requires them to minimise local disruption?

kryten22uk

2,344 posts

231 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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What is the issue with it being driven on? Seeing as its just a small strip of grass next to your wall, you cant see it from your house, nor will it impact the wall or your inner garden/driveway. Is it purely for the mud it creates on the road and near your driveway entrance? Or did you want to start planting/cultivating that bit of land?

buggalugs

9,243 posts

237 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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What rocks, oh those? Haven't they always been there? *shrug*

HRL

3,341 posts

219 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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Dig it out and turn it into a moat. No-one will drive through it then!

Rosscow

8,767 posts

163 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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kryten22uk said:
What is the issue with it being driven on? Seeing as its just a small strip of grass next to your wall, you cant see it from your house, nor will it impact the wall or your inner garden/driveway. Is it purely for the mud it creates on the road and near your driveway entrance? Or did you want to start planting/cultivating that bit of land?
Well, if it belongs to the OP (which he has said it does), then you want things to look nice. A 20m strip of mud is hardly attractive.

And of course just the fact that lorries are driving over your land - that would annoy me as well. It's just a lack of care.

I'd go down the route of some nice timber posts that are stained with some reflectors screwed onto them. However, I'd make them a loose fit (a bit like yardage posts on golf courses) so that you can remove them to mow (easy to replace in case one gets smashed as well!) Putting down rocks etc. is very effective but they're a pain to mow/strim around.

OP - get a local joinery company to knock you up half a dozen, won't cost much (try and find someone that can supply Accoya as that will last forever without rotting).

guindilias

5,245 posts

120 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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Claymores! The environmentally friendly cure-all!
Or maybe just some small plants in pots...

Simon Brooks

1,517 posts

251 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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Chap I know had a similar problem with locals driving smaller farm machinery and cutting corners across his lawns as it was the easy option, despite there being plenty of room to take a wider swing on the turn.

Tried speaking and appealing to the drivers concerned without any luck

Buried a few of these in the lawn as well as placing simple wooded posts on the edge, needless to say the corner cutting stopped fairly quickly

Very possibly not the most PC thing to do or in fact totally legal, however the desired result was achieved


Rosscow

8,767 posts

163 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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Christ yikes

MrBarry123

6,027 posts

121 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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Be careful OP; that piece of grass looks like a perfect resting place for some sub-zero sausages if someone was feeling vindictive.

wombleh

1,789 posts

122 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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I had similar issues and put down some plastic mesh, the grass grew back through so it doesn't show up. Doesn't keep people off the grass but means they can drive on it without causing any damage.

jesta1865

3,448 posts

209 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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Simon Brooks said:
Chap I know had a similar problem with locals driving smaller farm machinery and cutting corners across his lawns as it was the easy option, despite there being plenty of room to take a wider swing on the turn.

Tried speaking and appealing to the drivers concerned without any luck

Buried a few of these in the lawn as well as placing simple wooded posts on the edge, needless to say the corner cutting stopped fairly quickly

Very possibly not the most PC thing to do or in fact totally legal, however the desired result was achieved

were the local farmers all vampires? redface