If you took a walk down this residential street in the past few months, you would be forgiven for thinking you’d taken a wrong turn and left Gravesend for a jungle.

Weeds in The Avenue had grown higher than some road signs, obscuring double yellow lines, and trees blocked the width of the pavements

Kent County Council (KCC) finally got to work dealing with the issue this week after our sister paper - the Gravesend Messenger - intervened, but many residents had already run out of patience.

Yvonne Atkinson, 80, said she had phoned Kent Highways multiple times but heard nothing.

She said: “Every year we have to ring up and ask them when are they going to come out and do something.

“I told them about the trees growing over the pavements about a month ago and they said they had been out to see it and that something would be done.

“You pay your council tax and you get nothing for it.

“I don’t like to be rude to people, but it’s a joke and I feel like shouting at them to get off their backsides and do something.”

Mrs Atkinson, who lives with her husband Gordon, added: “I think it’s dangerous to see a lady with a pram have to walk out into the road to get round the trees.

“If there’s a car whizzing down – as they do – then it could be very nasty.”

Mr Atkinson, 84, described the situation as “unbelievable”.

His frustration is shared by John Jones, also 84, who has lived in The Avenue for more than four decades.

“It’s not just the trees; it’s the road, it’s the pavements, it’s the drains. The Avenue has been gradually neglected” John Jones

He said: “Pedestrians can’t see through the trees when they’re trying to cross the road.

“Cars can’t see past when they’re at the crossroads or when they’re backing out of the drive.

“It’s not just the trees; it’s the road, it’s the pavements, it’s the drains. The Avenue has been gradually neglected.”

Another neighbour, who has lived in there for more than 30 years, said: “They used to come along once or twice a year to trim the trees, but they haven’t been this year.

“Backing your car out of the drive, you can’t see what’s coming and getting out of the junction there have been countless accidents over the years.”

Barinder Dhillon, 68, added: “We couldn’t get our car on the drive so my husband had to cut back the tree outside our house himself.

“I think it is a very tight squeeze for almost the whole of the road.”

A KCC spokesman said a warm winter and wet start to summer had seen vegetation grow quicker than usual.

"If your garden hedge or tree is overhanging a public footpath or road, it is your responsibility to maintain it" KCC

They continued: “With this in mind, KCC is reminding private landowners and homeowners of their responsibility to carry out their own maintenance.

“KCC does not look after trees, hedges and shrubs on private land, which are often located next to roads and pavements.

“Essentially, if your garden hedge or tree is overhanging a public footpath or road, it is your responsibility to maintain it.

“District councils, parish councils and housing associations are also responsible for their own maintenance.

“KCC has a plan of maintenance it carries out on its assets throughout the year. These can be found on kent.gov.uk

“You can see the maintenance regime for trees, hedges, shrubs, flowers and grass verges by visiting www.kent.gov.uk and searching ‘verge maintenance’.”