Private house with ivy destroying large fence from public footpath

[jenkel]

Just want some thoughts please, we have a large fence running down the side of the garden, other side is a public footpath that is maintained by the council. The fence is our property and is covered in ivy which is coming from the public footpath side of the fence, I’m fighting a losing battle just to keep it clear from our side, no roots are in our garden of if they are they are removed immediately. The council chopped the ivy down about 4 years ago but to be honest that just seemed to make it more rampant. We are going to have to replace about 12 fence panels soon, firstly I don’t want to do that until the Ivy is properly removed. I have reported it to the council last September and it’s on there list of to be assessed. Also do you think I have any way to help them contribute to the price of replacing the fence as it’s clearly the ivy and the weight of the ivy that is destroying it. Thank you

You can try! Get your local councillor to help navigate this one. You need to investigate how the ivy could be killed off too. That is difficult on a public path but they need to grub up the roots. However the council should maintain their land so it does not encroach on your property. Speak to your councillor. However I would also get the ivy cut down on their side and do it myself!