SPENCERS WOOD residents have raised concerns over an ageing oak tree after a large bough fell into the road it overhangs earlier this month.
Located on Askew Drive, the tree’s fallen branches had to be moved to the side of the road by residents, many of whom are worried about the safety risks involved with a similar incident.
Questions have been put forward regarding whose responsibility it is to maintain the oak, with Wokingham Borough Council claiming the tree is situated on private land.
Shinfield South councillor Jackie Rance said: “The tree is huge. If any part falls towards the pavement or road, a parked or moving car would be annihilated.
“If any part falls in the opposite direction, it will take down a fence, house or roof, causing untold damage. If a child is playing on the grass and a part or whole of the tree fell, that child could be killed.
“My three grandsons under age 11 all play in and around there with other friends – not at the moment, their mother won’t let them, but kids being kids run around and go where they don’t see danger.”
She added that she had tried to raise residents’ concerns to the council for more than one year but claimed they had refused to acknowledge there to be a duty of care to those who live and pass by the area.
“Money issues surely can’t come into this. A terrible accident waiting to happen,” Cllr Rance said.
The council said that it was aware of the tree’s risk to public safety and confirmed it had placed barriers around it to minimise any immediate risk to the public from falling debris.
It also recognised that the tree is located on private land adjacent to Clares Green Road.
Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, leisure and sport, said: “We have issued a formal notice to the landowner, requesting they take any necessary action within 14 days to remove the safety risks the tree has to the public. If the landowner fails to do so, we will step in to carry out the work and recoup the full costs back from the owner.
“Due to the condition of the tree, the landowner is exempt from the need to request permission to carry out works or fell the tree, so we urge them to take action as soon as possible to ensure public safety.
“As the tree is subject to a tree protection order, if it is felled the landowner will need to carry out replacement planting, and we will send them a follow-up letter reminding them of this.”
