Mixed response to 89-year-old Keith Haines’ decision to cut back hedge on Western Avenue in Newbury

An 89-year-old man has attracted both praise and ire from his neighbours after taking it upon himself to trim an overgrown hedge next to a busy footpath.

Keith Haines, of Poplar Place, has spent significant time in recent weeks cutting back foliage and clearing footpaths in the residential roads in Shaw, particularly around Winchcombe School.

His main project has been the cutting back of the hedge along the north side of Western Avenue – between the Waitrose roundabout and the A339 – to make the footpath more accessible to pedestrians and wheelchair users.

Writing to the Newbury Weekly News, Mr Haines said: “I would like to thank me for bringing the footway to its original width as the tenants haven’t bothered to keep the hedge cut.

“I informed the council of my intentions but they didn’t stop me from doing it, so I went ahead with it.

“Everyone who passed me congratulated me. What a difference I have made.”

Some Shaw residents have also written in to praise Mr Haines for his work.

Alison Clarke, of Maple Crescent, said: “I am a totally blind resident in Shaw and walk my guide dog every day.

“I am often stung by stinging nettles, scratched by brambles and hit in the face by branches and shrubs that are overhanging the footpaths.

“Fortunately, there is a resident who lives nearby called Keith.

“He is 89 years old and as well as caring for his wife, he is out every day cutting back foliage, clearing blocked drains, picking up litter and sweeping the subways to keep them free of slippery mud, litter and broken glass.

“I think this wonderful man deserves some recognition for all his hard work as a volunteer.”

However, not everyone is a fan of Mr Haines’ handiwork. Several residents of Cherry Close whose gardens back out onto Western Avenue are frustrated that their hedges have been trimmed back quite severely without their permission.

Mandy Allen, a resident at 9 Cherry Close, saw Mr Haines cutting her hedge and questioned why he was doing so.

She alleges that he turned hostile when she tried to speak to him and was verbally abusive towards her.

Ms Allen didn’t want her hedge cut back as severely because it gave her property some privacy from the busy road as well as reducing traffic noise.

She is also worried that her pet dog will be at risk of escaping onto Western Avenue due to the hedge being cut back.

She said: “It’s an absolute mess. He’s gone back to the original fence. I have been in my house for 23 years and I have never ever seen the original fence. He’s not just cut it, he’s absolutely hacked it.”

Fran Robins, of 7 Cherry Close, said: “I make my own arrangements when my hedge needs cutting.

“He has actually hacked it to pieces, not content with just mine, he decided to tackle others hedges that face on to Western Avenue even after being asked to stop.

“The hedge now is letting in more road noise from traffic and taken away my privacy. l have been in my house 57 years and never had an issue.”

In response to the incident, a West Berkshire Council spokesperson said: “The hedges are all on private property and do not fall to the council to maintain.”