Dangerous Tree Branches need Trimming - Outside 29 Vectis Rd
Sent to Merton Council less than a minute later. Council ref: SRQ-1269785-T1B8K9.
I am writing as a local resident to request an inspection and maintenance of the tree(s) located outside my property at: 29 Vectis Road, Tooting, London SW17 9RF The tree branches have grown to the point where they are now obstructing the telephone wires outside my house. In addition, the roots have become very large and are continuing to spread. I am increasingly concerned that the root growth may pose a risk to my property and to essential underground services, including gas pipes, water pipes, and electricity cabling. I would be grateful if the council could send someone to trim the tree branches back ASAP. Given the potential safety and infrastructure implications, I would appreciate it if this matter could be reviewed as soon as possible. Please let me know if you require any further information or photographs to support this request. Thank you for your time and assistance. Kind regards, Johnnie
Updates
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Thank you for reporting a problem with a street tree.
We aim to inspect street tree problems within 10 working days of being reported, or 2 hours if the tree is dangerous. We aim to carry out any necessary work within 30 working days.
Did you know…?
We care for more than 20,000 street trees in Merton, including pruning, pollarding, and planting hundreds each year to keep streets green, safe, and walkable.
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Thank you for your report. Branches touching overhead telephone wires are not our duty to prune – this is the responsibility of service providers e.g., British Telecom (BT) or local network operator e.g., Openreach as these are their properties. They, as a statutory undertaker under the Telecommunications Act 1984, hold a telecommunications licence to carry out works, including tree works, to maintain their services. Several options are available to the utility company that do not require pruning of a tree to maintain the service. For example, the cable can be sheathed at points of high friction, or the line can be redirected through the tree canopy. Pruning is a temporary solution, and the problem may reoccur when branches grow back. Please contact them in case a fault with telephone connection. We can appreciate that there can be a common concern in regards to tree roots undermining a property. It is rare for the direct action of roots to damage a house. However, they may affect lighter structures such as garden walls and/or paving. Trees may cause damage if they are growing on shrinkable clay soil for example, where the roots can remove the moisture from the soil and cause movement as the ground dries out (although the effect is variable and depends on the type of clay soil, foundation design, species of tree, rainfall, and distance between the tree and the property). Tree related subsidence is a complex issue, and each case will need to be considered on an individual basis to ensure that it is the tree that is causing the problem and not some other factor. We got lots of trees growing on clay soil and close to buildings, but only a few did actually cause damage. To advise if a resident identified damage or subsidence, they are advised to contact their insurance company in the first instance so that they can discuss their concerns and agree an appropriate course of action. Should they, or those acting on their behalf, wish to make a claim for damages against the Council, alleging that a Council owned tree has caused damage to their property, they will be required to submit an independent report to the Council to support their claim. Where evidence provided can confirm that a council owned tree is implicated in building subsidence or damage, we will take appropriate action to that specific tree. It is often asserted that roots damage underground services (particularly pipes). Although roots may be found sheathing a pipe or growing inside it, they are generally not the cause of damage - they can neither detect water in a sound pipe nor exert sufficient pressure to break into a sound pipe to gain access to the water it may contain. However, if a pipe is already damaged and leaking, tree roots may be attracted by the moisture, enter the pipe, proliferate and ultimately cause a blockage. Modern plastic pipes made of PVC plastic and fibreglass and those using rubber sealing rings are resistant if constructed properly.
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Hi there, Thanks for your response. The trees you have planted have grown within 3 meters of our houses. Branches are getting very close to the house and need to be trimmed back. Having reviewed your website, I believe this is your responsibility? Can you please organise someone to come and trim back the branches so they do not cause any damage to our properties. Thanks Johnnie
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