HIGHWAYS bosses have been accused of municipal vandalism after using tractor-mounted machinery to shred hedges overlooking pasture that dates back to medieval times.

There was an outcry when it emerged Richmondshire District Council was considering selling Westfield, on the western outskirts of Richmond.

More than 100 people attended 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 good of the 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, yesterday North Yorkshire County Council sent a team to trim back hedges lining a narrow country lane overlooking Westfield.

Rather than pruning by hand, the contractors used tractor-mounted machinery that snapped and tore overgrown hedgerows, rather than cutting them cleanly.

Richmond Mayor, Councillor 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 have 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 do not understand why the county council does not seem to care.''

A North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said the hedgerow was cut back following a number of complaints from drivers who use Westfield, who said overhanging branches were scratching the paintwork of their cars.

But he confirmed the authority would be sending a team back to tidy up.

"The work was done as this is the best time of year for pruning," he said.

"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 later this week.