This happens and the green is unlikely to regenerate if it goes back as far as the brown wood. If you want to keep the hedge green you will need to cut off enough from your trees so they do not touch the hedge and allow a little light in.

I can think of no better excuse for removing the hedge!!

I agree with Volunteer enjoy the trees and remove the hedge. The browning could also have nothing to do with the trees but be a problem which is occurring with conifer hedging - sorry brain is taking a sabbatical right now and can't remember the cause!

I agree in principle, but a long hedge can be too expensive to replace and too much hard work to remove as you get older, which is why we still have ours which was here when we came. Its OK as long as its kept well clipped and is no harder to maintain than the beech and the privet. (As long as the brown is due to shading rather than disease of course)