Mobile: 0794 120 1995
A reply from WC.
Many thanks to everyone who has contacted me about the 'work' being carried out on Paxcroft Mead.
Below is my most recent exchange of emails from which it would seem that WC will continue with the work. It would seem that they will not be moved from their course even if it does seem to be totally over-kill.
From: Clark, Ernie
Sent: 14/01/2016 16:19
To: Murphy, Richard
Cc: Trowbridge Area Board
Subject: Paxcroft Mead tree 'work'
HI,
I am receiving numerous complaints about the ‘skilled work’ being carried out on Paxcroft Mead. The contractors are driving willy-nilly everywhere and churning the verges up. In addition, the work they are doing along the cycle paths etc. is causing an enormous amount of distress to locals (not just residents) who cannot understand why such carnage is necessary.
When you allow for the parish council having started a community orchard and the Hedges project which has just been completed, your work is making a mockery of WC and any ‘green credentials’ it claims to have.
The work near houses etc. is understandable but your decision to have a wholesale felling of anything green defies belief.
If there is anything you can do to stop this unnecessary carnage please do so NOW.
Ernie Clark
Wiltshire Councillor for Hilperton Division
Independent Group leader, Wiltshire Council
Tel: 01225 769940
Mob: 0794 120 1995
Website: www.ernieclark.org.uk
THE REPLY.
Dear Councillor Clark,
Richard Murphy has referred your email of 14th January to me as his line manager. I have seen the earlier correspondence between you and Richard about this matter and I am aware that Richard has been keeping you informed because we were aware that the work would not be universally welcomed and that you would receive complaints from people who did not understand the need for it. However, I thought it might be helpful if I were to provide you with an overview of the rationale behind this extensive scheme of work.
I believe that Richard has already explained, there is a real risk of subsidence being caused to properties across the estate due to the previously inadequate management of the trees (due to lack of sufficient funds). Many of the trees are of inappropriate species due to their high demand for water and the nature of the clay soil which is prone to expansion and contraction on a seasonal basis according to the weather. When the soil dries out the trees put out extensive root systems in search of sufficient water. It became evident from the high number of reported cases of subsidence being caused to properties and the resulting insurance claims being received by the council from distressed householders that the situation could not be allowed to continue. I note that you consider that trees which are not immediately adjacent to houses are being felled unnecessarily, but the critical factor in making the decision to have them felled is their potential to cause subsidence because of extent of spread of their root systems, otherwise termed their ‘sphere of influence’, on their surroundings.
The outcome of the work will be to ensure that the remaining trees can be managed as they should have been since the original planting schemes took place, to minimise as far as possible the risk of subsidence occurring in future. The hope and intention is to avoid further distress being caused to householders who have not yet been affected but undoubtedly would have been if nothing had been done.
I am sure that you will understand that this type of work can only be done in the winter months when the trees are dormant. It is very unfortunate that the weather has been mild and wet for the duration of the work instead of cold and dry as we would have hoped, because the soft ground has helped neither the contractors nor the appearance of the works. We are of course sorry that those residents and other people who have as yet been unaffected by subsidence damage or whose properties are not at risk have been upset. However, we could not have postponed the work because apart from the requirement that it be carried out during the winter, budget constraints and restrictions on spending dictated that there would not have been another opportunity in the foreseeable future.
The contractors will make good the damage that has been caused to the ground but they will of course be unable to do so until we have drier conditions.
I hope that this information is of help to you, but please do contact me if I can be of any more assistance.
Kind regards,
Richard
Richard Broadhead
Wiltshire Council Environment Services
Rights of Way and Countryside Manager
Ascot Court, Trowbridge BA14 0XA
Telephone: Internal 13875 External: +44 (0)1225 713875 Mobile +44 (0)7919 881168
Email:richard.broadhead@wiltshire.gov.uk
Web: www.wiltshire.gov.uk