Fallen Trees Across City Still Being Cleared Up After January's Storms (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

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Fallen Trees Across City Still Being Cleared Up After January's Storms

August 15, 2007 12:00 AM

Councillor Paul Shannon Highlights a Fallen Tree Abandoned for Months by the Council

Manchester's Bungling Labour Council Abandoned This Fallen Tree for over Six Months, Even Though It had Been Reported for Removal

Manchester City Council has come under fire for failing to clear up all the trees felled during the storms that struck the City in January. Rusholme Councillor Paul Shannon had to complain to the Council after a tree in his area lay abandoned for over six months.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Councillor Shannon said:

"Around 2,000 trees came down across the city during the fierce storms that hit us in January. The majority of these have now been cleared away, but the Council are admitting that they did not finish the job. They decided to stop clearing away trees that had been reported to them, and instead resume routine tree work. Their decision means that seven months later, there are fallen trees across the city that have still not been removed, although the Council say they do not know how many."

"For example, a tree on Wiggins Walk, off Platt Lane in the Rusholme/ Fallowfield area, lay in the middle of the estate till I complained in August. As a result, local tenants and residents feel neglected by the Council."

Cllr Shannon concluded:

"Routine tree maintenance in Manchester is important. But surely it is not impossible to resume routine Arboricultural work whilst still ensuring that fallen trees reported by the public are removed?"

Any resident who knows of a tree felled during the January storms that has still not been cleared should ring Environment On-Call on 954 9000 or alternatively contact Cllr Shannon at the Town Hall.

End

Councillor Paul Shannon is Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition on Manchester City Council.

He is pictured highlighting a tree on Wiggins Walk, off Platt Lane, Rusholme/ Fallowfield area, that was on a list for removal since January; the tree was finally removed on 13th August after complaints from Councillor Shannon.