Roadside Tree & Vegetation Management

The Client

Oz Group was appointed by a valued highways client responsible for maintaining the integrity and safety of the southern network of national highways. We also secured and serviced an East Sussex highways contract for Balfour Beatty, providing comprehensive vegetation and tree management works.

The client operates under strict highway specifications and high compliance standards. The main goals were to protect road users, maintain visibility and safe clearances, prevent vegetation from obstructing signs or carriageways, and remove hazardous trees that presented a safety risk.

A key contract requirement was competency and compliance – CPCS-qualified operatives and FMOC-certified machine operators, using machinery and methods aligned with highway requirements and designed to minimise disruption to live traffic.

Project Scope

Works were delivered across multiple highway locations throughout the South East. The programme included regular vegetation clearance such as trimming, pruning, and removal of roadside vegetation to maintain safe highway corridors and control regrowth.

We also carried out targeted tree and vegetation maintenance, including removal of overhanging branches, clearance around road signs, lighting, barriers, and other road infrastructure, and work to prevent obstruction and maintain compliant visibility.

Hazardous trees were assessed and removed where they posed a clear risk to road users, operatives, or highway assets. Emergency response was built into delivery, enabling rapid clearance after storms, accidents, or fallen debris to restore safe conditions quickly.

Equipment Used

We used a specialist vegetation management plant that meets highway specification requirements and improves both safety and productivity. A grapplesaw was used for cutting and removing overhanging branches and roadside trees from a safe standoff position. This reduced operative exposure to live traffic and supported controlled removal. A tree shear was deployed for larger trees and dense vegetation where precision and stability were essential. It allowed efficient felling and handling with minimal disturbance. A biomass chipper was used to process arisings efficiently, reduce site congestion, and support responsible disposal routes.

Our Approach

Competence, Safety, and Planning – All operatives were qualified for the plant and tasks they were assigned to. CPCS and FMOC standards were maintained across the team, supported by supervision and refresher focus where needed. Before each shift, we carried out safety briefings, site-specific risk assessments, and checks covering live traffic exposure, plant movement, exclusion zones, night working controls, and emergency arrangements.

Highway Specification Compliance – We planned and executed works to maintain required clearances around signs, lighting, barriers, utilities, and road assets. Cutting and pruning were controlled to meet the client’s specification and minimise rework. Equipment selection was deliberate: highway-suitable machinery capable of both controlled trimming and efficient removal, while keeping operatives in safer positions.

Environmental Controls – Environmental safeguards were built in as standard. The team avoided unnecessary disturbance to habitats and sensitive areas, managed arisings properly, and removed debris promptly to keep the highway corridor safe and tidy. Waste was processed and handled responsibly, with arisings chipped and removed in line with environmental guidelines and agreed disposal routes.

Traffic Management and Working Windows – We worked closely with traffic management teams to implement lane closures or temporary restrictions safely and efficiently when required. A significant portion of work was completed at night or during low-traffic periods to reduce disruption, while maintaining safe visibility, lighting, and control measures for plant operations.

Emergency Response – A dedicated team remained available for emergency call-outs following storms or incidents. This unit had the machinery and support vehicles needed to mobilise quickly, clear hazards, and restore safe conditions with minimal delay.

The Result

The programme delivered strong compliance against highway specification requirements and client standards. Visibility and corridor safety were improved through consistent clearance and obstruction prevention.

Hazardous trees and high-risk vegetation were removed safely using controlled methods and specialist machinery, reducing the likelihood of incidents and unplanned road disruptions. Traffic disruption was minimised through planned working windows, coordination with traffic management, and efficient completion of tasks within agreed timeframes. Environmental impact was controlled through responsible waste handling, prompt removal of debris, and adherence to best-practice environmental management during operations.