Residents’ fears after branch falls

Heavy rain in Delph Road, Denshaw yesterday.

RESIDENTS claim tohave had a lucky escape after a 12ft branch crashed down in Oldham’s high winds over the past two days.

The branch, which fell from trees in neighbouring Thorncliffe Park, narrowly missed a car in Rochdale Road, Royton.

Homeowners say they have campaigned for action over the trees for years and fear more damage if the bad weather continues.

Joanne Yates, whose car had a narrow escape, said: “We’ve had issues with these trees for about 12 years, they’re far too tall and if one fell it would go straight through a house.

“We’ve been on to the council to get something done but they just say its down to residents in Thorncliffe Park. They were quick to come out to remove this branch though.

“Hopefully something will get done before the weather gets even worse. The road and pavements round here are littered with branches.”

Councillor Jean Stretton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said the land on which the trees stand doesn’t belong to the council: “We have been involved in mediation between the parties and in ensuring the trees aren’t encroaching on to the highway.”

But she added: “The council has inspected these trees on numerous occasions and has repeatedly found they pose no imminent danger. Any tree can lose branches in extreme weather.”

Council experts will inspect the trees again in the light of the recent event



::A large tree in Oldham Road, Grasscroft, was cut down for safety reasons in the early hours of Monday by Oldham Council after being damaged in the bad weather.

Residents had been alarmed after hearing noises between 1am-3am yesterday.



::Rail passengers faced delays after a tree fell on to the tracks near Mossley.

The blockage, close to the Scout Tunnel, was reported at around 12.15pm, after the 9.50am train from Middlesbrough ran into it. Crews were called to cut the tree off the line shortly afterwards.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “The train set off and limped into Manchester at about 5mph.”




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