Trees are growing problem

MARION Wilson under a similar tree which overhangs a path near her home

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CONCERNED residents have renewed their pleas for huge trees outside their Failsworth homes to be maintained after a 15ft branch fell on to a public path.

Residents at Clifton Villas say they have been urging First Choice Homes to trim and monitor the branches of the willow trees outside the their homes for three years due to safety concerns.

Their fears were realised when a 15ft branch fell from one of the trees during high winds.

Cynthia Mangini (73) said: "We have been trying to get First Choice Homes to act on these trees for the past three years.

"They are beautiful trees but they need to be trimmed and maintained to stop them becoming dangerous.

"When it is windy branches can fall from the trees and they can be quite large so I've always been wary of it.

"They came to cut it up and have taped off the tree.

"People have said it looks like a crime scene now."

Residents at Clifton Villas are hoping First Choice Homes will also act on a second tree in the area where branches of the willow overhang a popular footpath.

Cynthia said: "The path is used by residents and young children walking to school so someone could be walking below when another branch falls."

"I hope this incident will lead to something being done about the branches of the trees."

First Choice Homes were informed of the tree branch and attended on Friday to make it safe.

A First Choice Homes spokesman said: "The unfortunate incident that occurred could not have been foreseen. Our emergency team arrived on site almost immediately and worked late into the evening to make the tree and area safe. Our team have been back on site on Monday to complete any necessary works."

They added that this year FCHO received one resident report regarding a tree to the rear of Clifton Villas that was blocking daylight.

"This was of a non-urgent nature and as such added to the list for the next scheduled inspection," they said.

"The safety of our residents is of paramount importance and First Choice Homes take a proactive approach to managing and maintaining the trees on its land, this includes regular inspection by our environmental officers.

"We have invested in an online reporting tool for our residents whereby routine issues can be reported and added to the next scheduled tree inspection.

"Where an issue is considered to be more urgent such as a diseased, dying or dangerous tree customers are advised to telephone our customer contact centre.

"This will trigger an immediate inspection by one of our environmental officers who work in partnership with Oldham Council's arboriculture team to make the area safe."