Omrksirk mum angry over West Lancashire Council’s refusal to put fence up at her home

Feb 9 2012 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

AN ORMSKIRK mum is angry that West Lancashire Council has refused to put fence panels up at her home after the back hedge was damaged by vandals.

Kimberley Norris, of Parker Crescent, told the Advertiser that a six-foot hole appeared in her hedge caused by youths going into her garden to get their football after kicking it in there.

The garden backs on to another house, which is on Lea Crescent.

Kimberley wants the council to put a fence up to stop her children – twins Ryan and Michael, both nine, Jamie, seven, and Heidi, four – getting through. Kimberley, who is also mum to eight- month-old Alfie, said the people who damaged her hedge didn’t live on the estate any more.

The mum-of-five said: “I’m really angry that the council won’t put a fence up.

“It was damaged by other people, not me.

“They were kicking their ball against the hedge and damaged it when they came through to get the ball.

“I want my children to be able to play out in the back garden but they can’t with that hole in the hedge.

“I am really worried for their safety as they could go through the garden and into the road on Lea Crescent on the other side.

“I had a surveyor out to my house some time ago, and he said he will pass it onto his boss.

“I contacted the council about a week later and the officers told me I would have to put a fence up myself.

“I have asked for another surveyor to come out to my house to see the damage.”

A West Lancashire Council spokesman said: “The council is not responsible for the renewal or maintenance of hedges or fences between properties.

“This is the responsibility of tenants or owner occupiers, especially when it comes to party walls, fences or hedges, which two tenants share.

“However, if any damaged hedges or fences have a health and safety risk, then the council will carry out work to remove the risk.

“Mrs Norris should contact the council to discuss this.”