HIGHWAYS chiefs have been accused of 'municipal vandalism' after using tractor-mounted machinery to shred hedges overlooking medieval pasture land which Richmond residents are to be asked to help to buy.

There was an outcry when it emerged Richmondshire District Council was considering selling off Westfield on the western outskirts of the historic market town.

Over 100 people turned up at a public meeting to debate the future of the land and, since then, plans have emerged for a Landscape Management Trust which could acquire the plot and maintain it for the local community.

The district council has already indicated it is sympathetic and a fundraising appeal is likely to be the next step, allowing the trust to buy the land.

However, North Yorkshire County Council took over the mantle of villain last week after sending a team to trim back hedges lining a narrow country lane overlooking Westfield.

Rather than pruning by hand, the contractors used a mechanical 'jungle-buster', which snaps and tears overgrown hedgerows.

Richmond Mayor Stuart Parsons said: "I was absolutely astounded by what you can only describe as municipal vandalism.

"It seems, rather than do the job carefully, they've sent a machine to massacre the hedgerow because it would be quicker and save money.

"What we have been left with is an ugly mess and I don't understand why the county council doesn't seem to care."

A North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said the hedgerow was cut back as a result of complaints from drivers who use Westfields, who said overhanging branches were scratching the paint work of their cars.

However, he said the council would be sending a team back to 'tidy up'.

He said: "The work was done as this is the best time of year for pruning. By the spring, the greenery would have grown back and people would not have noticed the difference.

"However we accept there are some areas which need further attention and will be sending contractors back to the site."