A significant section of the case work I undertake concerns trees. For the most part, trees are not a problem. They provide us human beings with all sorts of benefits. They are attractive to look at. They help improve air quality. They provide habitat for insects and birds. In summer, they provide shade.

I took this shot today in Sylvia Crescent whilst out delivering Focus leaflets in the light rain. Beautiful colours… “The season of mellow fruitfulness”.

The other side of the coin is that they can sometimes cause issues that people complain about. Tree roots can sometimes affect the surface of a pavement. Hampshire Highway officers will inspect if asked to do so but won’t always agree to remove a tree if it causes some movement in the pavement. They follow guidelines as to how much undulation in the surface of the pavement is acceptable.

I think HCC policy is largely guided by Court decisions as to how much undulation in a pavement is considered acceptable. A Judge once commented in Court that “a pavement cannot be compared to that of a bowling green”… in other words, if somebody should trip up as a result of a defect in a pavement, it does not necessarily mean that the Council is liable… it depends on the degree of the defect.

I explained as much to a resident this morning. He wasn’t particularly satisfied but I did ask that he keep a watching brief on the hybrid Alder he has outside his property and if things worsen, we may get it reviewed at a later date.