WORK is finally due to be carried out this week on a huge tree at the centre of a row in Cam.
A resident called Catherine says a tree in front of her home in the High Street was due to be trimmed three months ago in July by a county council contractor but this has yet to be completed.
She has raised concerns as she believes, due to the size of the tree, damage could be caused especially given the unpredictable winter weather.
The giant tree, which is located opposite Knapp Lane, has also already started growing into overhead telephone cables and towers over Catherine’s and her neighbour’s roofs.
Catherine, who has lived in her house for eight years, claims she has also never seen the tree undergo routine maintenance.
However, Gloucestershire County Council insists that the tree is safe but added that it is due to be cut back this week as the nesting season has now ended.
“No one can believe this hasn’t been resolved yet!” said Catherine, who asked the Gazette not to use her surname.
“In the eight years of living here, the tree hasn’t been trimmed or reduced.
“The tree could cause a lot of damage especially with the unpredictable weather we are having.
“I’m just really frustrated, it was on GCC’s list and supposed to be done in July and now it’s October.
“We were told it was booked in.
“Prevention is better than cure, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
“It could fall on both our house and our neighbour's.”
Stroud district councillor Christopher Evans (Cam West, Conservative) said: “It’s very disappointing that this is still ongoing after such a long time.
“I hope the county council can prioritise this job, and the work to the tree is completed as soon as possible.”
Gary Wilson, local highways manager at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The work to cut back the tree had been placed on hold until the bird nesting season had finished to protect the county’s wildlife.
“We have previously surveyed the tree and found the tree to be safe with no signs of danger.
“The nesting season is now over and the necessary work will be completed this week.”
“It could be like the tree which fell down in Kingshill last year, luckily no one was killed then.
“I’m just really frustrated, it was on their (GCC’s) list and supposed to be done in July and now it's October.
“We were told it was booked in.
“Worst case scenario, someone could die.”
Stroud District Council Cllr Christopher Evans (Cam, Conservative) said: “It's very disappointing that this is still ongoing after such a long time.
“I hope the county council can prioritise this job, and the work to the tree is completed as soon as possible.”
Gary Wilson, Local Highways Manager at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The work to cut back the tree had been placed on hold until the bird nesting season had finished to protect the county’s wildlife.
“We have previously surveyed the tree and found the tree to be safe with no signs of danger.
“The nesting season is now over and the necessary work will be completed this week.”
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