Trees and phone lines - who is responsible?

[Liftwantedaroundtheworld]

We live on a farm. The phone line for the neighbouring farm runs across a wooded patch at the edge of our land just inside our hedge/tree line for approx 50m near our boundary with their land. It then crosses into their land and continues the half mile or so to their farm.

Neighbouring farm have been clearing branches from near the line where it runs on their land. They want us to clear the section across our land and think it's our responsibility.

I am not so sure but can't find anything definite online. Our line runs elsewhere and isn't affected by the trees so there's no benefit to us from doing it. It will cost a significant amount and I don't know if we are legally required to do the work or not.

Anyone know anything about this?

All I can find online is horror stories about open reach charging for visits to assess whether it needs doing or not! Or old results that may not be relevant now.

I’m not a legal bod but was once in a similar situation. There were no wayleaves in our property documents referring to the phone lines, and we were advised that neighbours would “have to ask us very nicely” if they could chop our hedges to give the wires adequate clearance. There was no suggestion that it was our responsibility

used to work for bt on there isn't unless in the dim distant past you signed way leaver agreement and took payment and it was written that you are expected to cut trees telephone wires unbelievable strong and they have 4 copper wires and 3 steel strands for strength the only problem you get is if they are tight when up against a tree and they rub when the tree rocks with the wind they rub through .

We do have a wayleave agreement now you mention it but as far as I understand it just gives Open reach the right to cross and access our land for maintenance and installation.