Bill Etheridge: Dudley Council not doing enough to cut back trees
'Some places look like a forest, the council must do something about this'.
Those are the words of Councillor Bill Etheridge who believes Dudley Council is not doing enough to cut back trees in the borough.
He believes some areas in his ward in Sedgley now look a forest because of inadequate action.
Sedgley councillor Bill Etheridge, who is also a Member of the European Parliament, said: "There has been an ongoing problem for years.
"Trees are growing so big and they are not being cut back.
"A couple of months ago I wanted to raise a motion in council to raise funds or something to tackle the issue, but Labour talked it out.
"I feel like banging my against a brick wall. It is easier to vote for something in the European Parliament."
One particular area which is affected considerably is around the Greenway on the Beacon estate in Sedgley, which councillor Etheridge says looks like a forest.
He said Dudley Council does not allow people to cut back trees due to health and safety reasons. But the local authority won't spend money to get professional people to carry out the job, which means no action is being taken.
He says residents have contacted him complaining about the problem, and has called on Dudley Council to take action.
Councillor Etheridge also highlighted the 'right to light' law, which is a form of easement in English law that gives all long-standing building owners the right to maintain a level of illumination.
Responding to his comments, councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "The priority for the council is diseased and damaged trees.
"They are a priority for safety. Obviously once all the diseased and damaged trees are tackled, we can focus on the other trees."
