Responsibility to maintain Fakenham's "great bramble barrier" remains uncertain after its town council turned to County Hall to take on the task. 

Questions regarding who should maintain a Fakenham footpath were raised last month after the hedge next to it became overgrown and encroached onto the pavement. 

The Meadow Walk footpath runs along Thorpland Road near Meadow Walk Extra Care Home.

The home is managed by Housing 21.

North Norfolk District Council had contacted Housing 21 to trim back the hedge after several complaints were made regarding its unkemptness. 

Housing 21 believes current responsibility of the path belongs to Medcentres, which developed the property and which subsequently strimmed back the greenery.

Housing 21 is not due to take over responsibility until 2026, according to an agreement it has with Medcentres.

In the interim, the company also said that because the path is mostly used by people from the town, rather than residents of the home, it would speak with the town council to transfer ownership.

Before the hedge was cut, North Norfolk District Council received many complaints about the state of the hedge.Before the hedge was cut, North Norfolk District Council received many complaints about the state of the hedge. (Image: Supplied) At a Fakenham Town Council meeting, councillors declined the ownership offer and agreed Norfolk County Council would be best placed to manage the footpath.

After the meeting, a spokeswoman for the town council said: "The council voted to support Housing 21 in its efforts to get Norfolk County Council to establish a properly constructed and maintained footpath and cycleway between Rudham Stile Lane and Housing 21's site." 

A spokesman for Housing 21 said: "The chairman of the town council advised they would work with us to request that Norfolk County Council take over the footpath.

"We consider this to be the best solution for all concerned."