BRYAN Parker (May 28) is right to call for a re-assessment of road verge maintenance, but I doubt if Alan Titchmarsh has sufficient time in his busy schedule to walk, run, cycle or drive a lorry to fully appreciate the niceties of verge maintenance.

A young girl was killed a few months ago walking home from school when avoiding excessive verge growth.

I sometimes run along the bypass where the low-growing brambles area a real hazard.

The tarmacked path between Evesham and Broadway has been really difficult in the past, especially in a drought where the deep-rooted perennials dramatically overwhelm the short grass preventing easy passage and further destroying the tarmac integrity.

Driving my lorry from Chipping Campden to Shipston a couple of years ago, it was impossible to drive in the adequately wide carriageway with well-cut verges without spanning the central white line as the hedge growth would have ripped the side mirrors off.

Well-trimmed hedges in Evesham and elsewhere, but covering half the legal footpath, impeding both walkers and runners, are common.

Parish and county councils, Highways England or the landowner may all be responsible for different parts of the verge and/or hedges (the responsibility may change several times within a short distance).

Localism is the new buzz word. If it is to mean anything it should mean we can solve the verge and hedge issue.

I look forward to our new MP, Nigel Huddlestone, helping to enable some real change!

Robert C Hale

Evesham