A CAMPAIGNER says Dudley Council should apologise to Halesowen residents after it "completely disregarded" their wishes and cut a hedge along Hagley Road down below an agreed level.

Last year shocked residents stopped contractors from chopping down the hedge in front of their homes on Hagley Road.

They said the hedge provided much-needed privacy and a screen from the noise and pollution from the 40mph main road.

Two socially distanced meetings were held with representatives from Dudley Council over the plan to reduce the hedge to one metre tall.

Tony Barnsley, Labour candidate for Hayley Green & Cradley South said that after requesting the hedge be trimmed to two metres, residents were finally talked into it being cut to just 1.5 metres by council officials.

However, Mr Barnsley said the council has failed to keep its promise, and has cut the hedge below the agreed level.

He said: "The residents wishes have been completely disregarded and local councillors should apologise for such a shoddy job that will take nature years to rectify."

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley Council's cabinet member for public realm, said the council had received "positive feedback" from residents.

She said: “Because the hedge is on uneven ground, cutting it to a uniform 1.5 metres all the way across would have left it looking lopsided and odd.

“Some parts are lower than 1.5 metres – but equally others are higher due to the differing levels of the ground across the hedge.

"What you have got is a smooth level top point, which would not have happened if we had cut it to 1.5 metres across the board.

“We have tried to do the most professional job we can with it to make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible, and all of the feedback we have received from local residents has been positive both in terms of the extra light it has created for them and how much better it looks.

“The work will ensure healthy and vigorous regrowth and over time this will completely regenerate the hedgerow, preserving it for future generations.”