We’re fuming as our neighbour’s huge bush is a driving hazard – they’ve got DAYS to fix it

LOCALS are furious after a neighbour's massive bush has sparked a driving hazard.

Snaps show the untamed greenery spilling out over a fence on Christchurch Road in Boscombe, Bournemouth - with the owner given just days to prune it.

Neighbours are outraged at the foliage for forcing cyclists and pedestrians out onto the busy road.

They're also fuming that the huge mass of leaves blocks a 30mph speed sign leading up to a heaving junction.

It could even lead to fatal crashes, some residents have said.

Now the pesky plant's owner has been given a harsh deadline to get rid of the shrub - in 28 days it has to be gone.

One local resident, who didn't want to be named, told the : "I have written before about this, but the council doesn’t seem to carry out any checks or maintenance.

"This “hedge” pushes walkers into the road at the very busy Christchurch Road/Manor Road junction. 

"And the 30mph sign is hidden so if they charge you with speeding you have an excuse."

But the offensive bush is in fact privately owned and there's only so much the council or volunteers can do.

The neighbour added: "Boscombe Gardens would be a disgrace without the volunteers, and similarly for picking up dropped rubbish. Please spend our rates on some of the issues that affect us old walkers and families out to sensibly enjoy themselves."

Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council confirmed it is aware of the situation, but said the plant is the homeowner's "responsibility".

The authority issued the owner a strict instruction to cut back the plant in the next 28 days or face "further action".

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of the overhanging hedges on private property at Manor Road and our Neighbourhood Services team have made attempts to contact the owner.

"They have 28 days from our initial request to trim or cut back the area to their boundary or before facing further action.

"Overhanging vegetation can cause safety issues and we’d like to remind homeowners that it is their responsibility to stop bushes, hedges and trees growing over roads and road signs.

"The owner or occupier of a property is legally responsible for ensuring adjacent roads and pavements are not obstructed by vegetation. This is a common issue at this time of year due to rapid plant growth during the summer months."

The Bournemouth bush saga isn't the only battle with shrubbery that's made headlines.

In January a couple had to go to court to face their nightmare neighbour who repeatedly attacked their garden.

And pensioner was caught on CCTV ripping up his neighbour's plants and dumping soil amid a bitter row over a tiny piece of driveway space that dragged on for years.