A Visite du Branchage is an inspection of roads in Jersey

Jersey

Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...

 and Guernsey

Guernsey

Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...

 to ensure property owners have complied with the laws against vegetation encroaching on the highway.

Jersey

The Visite du Branchage takes place in each Parish

Parishes of Jersey

The Channel Island of Jersey is divided into twelve administrative districts or parishes. All have access to the sea and are named after the saints to whom their ancient parish churches are dedicated.:* Saint Helier...

 twice a year to check that occupiers of houses and land bordering on public road

Road

A road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any...

s have undertaken the 'branchage'.

The Loi (1914) sur la Voirie imposes a duty on all occupiers of property to ensure that encroachments are removed from the public highway.

The first Visite is between 1–15 July and the second is between 1–15 September.

On the Visite du Branchage the Connétable

Connétable

Connétables in Jersey and Guernsey are the elected heads of the Parishes. They are often called 'constables' in English. The constables are entitled each to carry a silver-tipped baton of office.- Jersey :...

, assisted by the members of the Roads Committee

Roads Committee

In Jersey, the Roads Committee is the highway authority for Parish roads in each Parish. In accordance with the Loi sur la Voirie it superintends the repair and maintenance of by-roads in the Parish, establishes boundary stones, issues Choses Publiques licenses, examines planning applications...

, Roads Inspector

Roads Inspector

A Roads Inspector is a statutory office in Jersey responsible for the maintenance of public highways.The Parish Assembly elects two Roads Inspectors for each Vingtaine [or Cueillette in St Ouen] for a three-year term of office in accordance with the Loi sur la Voirie...

s and the Centeniers, will visit the roads of his parish accompanied by the Vingteniers in their respective Vingtaine

Vingtaine

A vingtaine is a political subdivision of Jersey. They are subdivisions of the various parishes of Jersey, and one, La Vingtaine de la Ville , in Saint Helier is further divided into two cantons.St...

s to ensure that the branchage has been completed. Occupiers of land may be fined up to £50 for each infraction unless -

• the 'branchage' [hedges, branches and overhanging trees] has been trimmed back so as to give a clearance of 12 feet over main roads and by-roads;
• the 'branchage' [hedges, branches and overhanging trees] has been trimmed back so as to give a clearance of 8 feet over footpath
  Sidewalk
  A sidewalk, or pavement, footpath, footway, and sometimes platform, is a path along the side of a road. A sidewalk may accommodate moderate changes in grade and is normally separated from the vehicular section by a curb...
  
  s; and all trimmings have been removed from the road.

If the branchage has not been completed the occupier will be required to undertake the work and, if it is not carried out, the Parish may arrange for the work to be done and charge the occupier the cost of that work.

The Visite du Branchage applies to all public roads including main roads, by-roads and footpaths.

2008 saw the inaugural Branchage

Branchage

Branchage is an International Film Festival held on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. The festival was started in 2008. Branchage is known for leading the way in site specific screenings...

Film Festival, which has since become an Internationally acclaimed festival known for its site specific screenings and live soundtrack performances.

External links

• Branchage