Closed
Dangerous Obstruction and Safety Breach
Sent to Merton Council less than a minute later. Council ref: SRQ-1268688-Q9V6Y2.
I am writing to raise a formal complaint regarding the ongoing tree‑planting works being carried out on the pedestrian pavement directly outside 37 Cavendish Avenue, KT3 6QH.
1. Accessibility and Health & Safety Concerns The sitting of the newly planted tree has created a significant obstruction on the footway. This stretch of pavement is used daily by residents, including wheelchair users and others with reduced mobility, and the current layout restricts safe and inclusive access.
The works, as currently configured, result in a clear accessibility barrier for wheelchair users, an increased risk of collisions and a potential failure to maintain the minimum unobstructed width typically required for mobility users.
In its current form, the tree planting is unsafe and inappropriate for this location.
2. Site Management and Open Excavation Hazard In addition, the contractors created an excavation in the pavement and left it open and unattended for over 24 hours during heavy rainfall. The hole subsequently filled with water, effectively becoming a water‑filled cavity, without adequate protection or weatherproofing.
Leaving an open, water-filled pit on a public highway may be a violation of safety standards and could threaten the structural integrity of the surrounding roads and houses via water ingress.
Given the above, I request the Council to: - Issue an immediate Stop Notice for these works; and - Reverse the installation plans and reinstate the pavement to its original condition.
Updates
-
Thank you for reporting an obstruction on a road or pavement.
A highway officer will visit to inspect the site within five working days. If we think the obstruction may be dangerous based on the information you give us, we aim to inspect the site within 2 hours. If we decide it is dangerous, we will resolve it within four hours after inspection. If it is not dangerous, we will resolve it within 28 days following the inspection.
We can take legal action against people who cause obstructions to roads, pavements or footpaths.Did you know…?
We dealt with 130 reports of building materials obstructing a road or pavement in 2024.
-
This defect has either already been reported and action taken or has been passed to the relevant service provider to investigate.
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.