A north-east resident has criticised the local authority, claiming they are partially to blame for car crash she had earlier this month.
Jane Johnston, from Drumblade, collided with an oncoming lorry on Friday, July 1 whilst driving back from her daughter’s house.
After the incident, Mrs Johnston said a huge contributing factor to the smash was poor visibility due to the overgrown grass and hedgerows.
The incident happened at the Cross of Jackston in Daviot.
Mrs Johnston said Aberdeenshire Council had failed to fulfil their responsibilities in the maintenance of hedgerows and that a number of people in her area were becoming increasingly concerned with the situation.
She said: “I was coming down from visiting my daughter on a Daviot road, the grass was very high both sides and a lorry was coming up the road, round a bad corner, neither of us were able to see round the hedgerows and that’s when we crashed.
“We both said afterwards the long grass just blinded our vision round the corner.
“The roads are really bad, there has been a noticeable difference in the hedge trimming this year, and it has been more than minimal.”
Mrs Johnston accepted that the hedge rows were not the only reason for the crash, but that it has undoubtedly been a contributing factor.
She continued: “The roads were obviously slippery because of the rain, but with the rain, the grass and the hedges are growing so quickly something needs to be done before there is a really bad incident.
“The council has cut back on their responsibilities in this area; the hedges still haven’t been cut, it’s ridiculous.
“And it’s not just me that’s worried, everyone around me has noticed it, everyone is concerned.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s head of roads, landscape services and waste management, Philip McKay, said: “The council’s rural verge maintenance programme started in early June, and, as with last year, has a completion date of July 31.
“There are 21 routes across Aberdeenshire, with around 10 contractors carrying out the work on behalf of the council.
“Local area teams are monitoring the progress of this programmed work and will make any necessary adjustments if required.
“We are always concerned to hear of any road traffic collision in Aberdeenshire, however as always we urge motorists to drive to the conditions of the road regardless of the season.”
