Sharp branches on public path

The home owner is responsible in that case.

Unless it varies by council but I had a hedge that overhung path, due to complaint from someone who was annoyed by how far out it was (really wide path, plenty of room really) the council called to me and asked me to get it cut. Certainly weren't intending doing it themselves, my responsibility I'm afraid and rightly so in my opinion.

Would you not just get the shears out and cut back a few of the offending briars. Take a small fraction of the time.

Local authority.

You report it to Local Authority/County Council whichever operates in that area. They called out to me pretty quick after getting a complaint! I wouldn't even have considered it as annoying as sharp branches but they were out like a bullet! Now it was also within the prohibited time for cutting hedges which I mentioned to the official and said I'd get it done when that was over but they said they would prefer it done sooner and the rules didn't apply where there was a complaint.

True and I know that but what harm would it have done to wait, it is a hedge where birds nest and it wasn't a safety concern at all, personally I would have preferred to wait for the few months just in case. To be honest if I hadn't done it straightaway I'm not sure there was much they could do but wait anyway!