Street Trees Consultation

The Council are currently carrying out repair works on the footway on Matthews Street. Part of these works will involve resurfacing the tarmac on the footway, which requires a kerb to be installed to help keep the tarmac in place.

Currently, the mature roots of this tree runs along the kerb line and are preventing the kerb from being installed. Unfortunately, the roots are too important to the tree and we would be unable to only remove the roots without destabilising the tree and compromising safety. 

Additionally, the roots extend to the back of the footpath and are too close to the surface to lay and compact the tarmac. If an attempt was made to lay the tarmac over these roots, it could create an unintended slope that causes water to flow back towards the neighboring property. The existing roots are already running towards the property and is damaging its forecourt (see photo below).

For these reasons, the Council is proposing to fell this tree and remove the roots. This would allow the footway to re-surfaced without compromising tree stability and the neighbouring properties.

As a part of our sustainable tree planting programme, we will be planting 1,000 trees this planting season in suitable locations across the borough for future growth.