Wrong tool
In response to the reply from Richard Edmondson, trying to justify council vandalism of the roadside vegetation management methods (Usually tidy, letters October 16), I would suggest that he use the right tools for the job.
Sure the mulcher (rotating mower head) may be quicker, but it doesn't give the required finish beyond leafy vegetation.
You could spray your lawn with Roundup once a year, as that would be cheaper and quicker than running a lawn mower every couple of weeks, but would that give you the required result? (Maybe financially). You could cut your hedge with a machete, as that would be quicker and easier than a hedge trimmer, but would leave a scraggy mess, just like a council job.
I know there are saws, set up on tractors, that are designed to cut trees, followed by a mulcher. Why not use the right tool for the right job?