The line of trees on the junction of Rowan Way and London Road, Balderton, were cut down on the night of Storm Ciara
Mystery tree trimmers have left residents puzzled as to who has done it and who should clean it up.
During the night of Storm Ciara on Saturday, February 8, a line of trees overhanging the path on the junction of Rowan Way and London Road, Balderton, were cut down.
Residents reported that the trees were cut by people in an official-looking, large, yellow vehicle with flashing lights, and the chopped branches were left against the fence belonging to Mr Roland Smith.
Mr Smith, who is in his 70s, has been trying to get the remaining branches cleared away, claiming they create a safety risk for pedestrians.
However, three weeks later, the branches are still on the side of the road, and Mr Smith is none the wiser as to which local authority is in charge of the clear-up.
The Advertiser has been shown a chain of emails from Mr Smith to Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, but neither authority has claimed responsibility.
The county council stated that Via East Midlands Ltd is responsible for the management of all trees, hedges and shrubs growing within the adopted highway on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, but have no record of this report.
Mr Smith’s son Neil said: “This is a real safety concern for parents with buggies especially and the elderly.
“It’s been going on for far too long and someone needs to take some responsibility.”
The district council said it does not own the land and has been unable to establish who carried out the work, so have asked that the branches be removed as fly-tipped waste.
Matt Adey, assistant business manager for waste at the District Council, said: “We were first made aware of the branch cuttings on the London Road/Rowan Way corner when reported to us as fly-tipping by a member of the public.
“We can confirm that despite initial assumptions, the branches were not placed there by the council in the clean-up following storm Ciara. We appreciate that they are causing an obstruction to pedestrians and will ensure they are removed as soon as possible.”
Chris Mason, on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "We are aware of the branches on London Road, Balderton that were removed due to damage caused by Storm Ciara.
"Along with Storm Dennis, our response teams have attended a huge number of incidents of storm damage and flooding over the past fortnight and as such we are still working to clear some of the locations.
"The branches in Balderton will be removed this week."
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