Move to fine excess or damaging branchages

People cutting hedges and banks "excessively" or causing "lasting damage" during Jersey's branchage could be fined in the future.

The branchage has been in place since 1914 to try to ensure public roads are not obstructed by overgrowth, with a rule ensuring a 12ft (3.6m) clearance over main roads and by-roads and an 8ft (2.4m) clearance over footpaths.

In September, the chair of the constables committee Constable Andy Jehan said the 111-year-old law was being reviewed.

In response to a written question from Deputy Hilary Jeune, he said when reviewing the law the committee would consider enforcing fines for landowners or contractors cutting hedgerows or banks "if necessary".

Jeune had criticised the current law only penalising people for failing to cut their bushes - not how the work was carried out.

The current branchage law requires work to take place before inspections held in the three weeks following 24 June and 1 September each year.

Last month an organic farmer said having an enforced date for cutting branches would cause unnecessary damage to trees after a "brutal summer" of drought.

Jehan said each constable could set the day branchage inspections took place in their parish - within those three-week windows - and dates could be "changed if required".

"Due to the dry weather conditions in summer 2026, vegetation growth was minimal and any cut backs completed were within the branchage requirements," he added.

When asked by Jeune if the committee had engaged with environmental groups or the Jersey Biodiversity Centre on "building greater ecological flexibility into the law", Jehan said it welcomed the "engagement of all environmental groups during law amendment consultations" and that it would do so when the "relevant parts" of the law were being reviewed.

"Members of the Environment Department have already been invited to attend the next committee meeting," he said.

Jeune also asked if constables and road inspectors considered the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021 and its bird nesting season guidance, which said March to July was "high risk" for disturbances, as part of its checks.

Jehan said: "Constables and roads inspectors take into consideration wildlife and bird-nesting seasons when conducting the branchage.

"Additionally, it is noted that the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021 itself contains sanctions for breaches."

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