Residents concerned by lack of work on tree in South Oxhey

Neighbours at a block of flats in Hayling Road in South Oxhey are concerned about the size of a tree outside their homes, which they say not only blocks light into their homes but also risks the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

In particular, they have concerns about the number of branches within the tree.

Earlier this month, during high winds, a telephone cable that passes through the tree fell, along with a branch that Richard Joseph, who lives at the flats, says narrowly avoided striking his elderly neighbour.

Mr Joseph adds, particularly during the summer, the low hanging branches make it difficult to pull out into Hayling Road.

And according to Mr Joseph's neighbour, for 15 years, those living in the flats have had to live with their lights on because of the lack of daylight into their home due to the tree, pushing up their electricity bills.

The tree pictured during the summer

Mr Joseph says he has badgered the county council on a number of occasions to trim the tree but says he keeps being told the job is "low priority".

He said: "Does it require someone to be badly hurt for action to be taken now? I had two near misses last year because I can’t see cars coming down the hill. I've been asking it for it to be cut for at least five years. If I had the tools, I'd go and do it myself.

"They keep telling us it's a low priority but someone is going to get hurt."

Mr Joseph wants the work to be completed now while the tree is as bare as it can be over the year. He has been receiving support from his Liberal Democrat district councillor, Andrew Scarth.

A county council spokesperson said work is programmed on this tree for the upcoming financial year, but have no plans to carry out "urgent" works.

The council said the tree was surveyed by an inspector in September last year who found "no significant risk features requiring urgent action".

The spokesperson added: "We have noted evidence of some minor deadwood being shed from the tree but do not believe this tree poses a significant or imminent risk to the public, which is why it is not listed for urgent works. It is however listed in our upcoming package of non-urgent works for the coming financial year."

"Given the number of trees we manage, to address every instance of minor deadwood becomes impracticable as we need to focus our time and resources on managing more imminent or damaging risks.

"There were signs that a cable had snapped and that several others were running through the east side of the canopy. The surveyor has recommended a reduction of 30 to 40 per cent which will likely free up these cables and prevent further damage.

"Equally, the branches appear to grow beyond the footway and are encroaching on the front gardens of the flats, so a reduction of 30 to 40 per cent is also going to help reduce this problem."