We saw the following complaint from Lindsay Frend on FixMyStreet
There is a lovely tree at the corner of Preston Gardens/Hambro Avenue, which I am sure many of the local children would like to play under (it looks like there once was a swing in it) however the area under the tree is covered in nettles. Are the council able to come and cut down the nettles and treat the ground so that perhaps some grass could grow there and thereby improve the overall look of that corner?? My children love to play outside and the area by the tree would be a perfect place for them play with their friends. The tree is quite large and I am not sure if it could perhaps do with a trim?
The District Council replied quickly:
Trees on public grass verges are the responsibility of Essex County Council, who will carry out any required maintenance. You can contact the Highways team to report this matter. Please find below contact information.
Email: highwayenquiriessouth@essex.gov.uk Online: http://www.essex.gov.uk/Travel-Highways/Report-a-highway-problem Tel: 0845 603 7631
Additionally, any repairs to the verge that it sits on would be done by Essex County Council. Rochford Council cut the verges on Essex County Council’s behalf.
Hopefully the District Council will get rid of the nettles. And yes, if you look at the close-up photo of the tree you can see how close it is to the telephone lines! We have now contacted the County Council and asked them to trim the tree and check it for safety.
Just one thought – would the people who live near the tree want lot’s of kids making noise at the end of their gardens ?