Are these shrubs dying or is it just the effects of drought?

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Have got two large shrubs on a boundary which give us significant privacy…but have noticed they are browning (see pics). I am hoping they’re just the after effects of a really dry summer, but am concerned they’re dying. Any ideas whether they’re dying or not? Will need to replace if they are.

It is the effects from the drought, which can also cause plants to die. Presumably you have had a fair bit of rain just lately (we have) so the best thing to do now is remove the obviously dead branches, then wait and see.