Watford Borough Council (WBC) and its insurers have refused to pay to repair damage caused by two trees falling on a children’s play area in Garston.
Parkside Gardens is a collection of 11 houses in a gated community. Though the houses all have their own private gardens, they also share an additional communal garden for younger residents to enjoy.
When they moved in around a decade ago, the residents clubbed together to install new equipment in the park.
However, earlier this year, two council-owned oak trees came crashing down, destroying fences and play equipment.
Mr Nutton, resident and director of Parkside Gardens, spoke to GARSTONnews as the residents still haven’t received support many months later.
He said: “It’s shocking that we have had no financial support from the council since the trees on their land destroyed our children’s play area.
“As residents of the development, we personally pay to keep it maintained. Now, we are having to add extra funds ourselves because of the council’s neglect to maintain the trees over the last 10 years.”
Mr Nutton has obtained a Freedom of Information request from WBC which showed that the council failed to fulfil its required inspections on the trees.
He said: “It’s clear from the data the council provided that the absence of tree maintenance and associated maintenance works in Woodside Playing Fields has caused this damage.
“In fact, the wind gust that took the trees down was below the speed of 55mph which insurance companies recognise as storm conditions.
“The council insurers have stated that the wind gust on the day was 47mph; to me, that means the council isn’t insured because the trees shouldn’t have fallen, especially if they had been inspected and maintained properly.”
The residents had to fund the repair of the fence and releveling of the ground. They are now applying to the small claims court to reimburse the costs.
A spokesperson for WBC said: “The trees have been inspected and maintained in line with the council’s policy. Our insurers have thoroughly investigated the claim and found no fault with the council.
“As our insurance company is handling this matter and given that Parkside Gardens has expressed their intention to take legal action, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
0 Comments