A councillor says he will help to cut down the tree of a stroke victim after Lancashire County Council refused to do so.
Chorley and County Coun Steve Holgate said he will prune the tree overhanging 67-year-old Jeff Potter’s house on Collingwood Road.
The tree has continuously left Mr Potter’s driveway covered with berries, blossom and leaves. On one occasion, a berry became stuck in the windscreen wiper of Mr Potter’s car and left a scratch down the windscreen.
LCC has responsibility for the tree but a spokesman said the council would not cut it down as it is in a healthy condition and it doesn’t impact the highways.
But Coun Holgate said: “I have a responsibility to my constituents,. I’ve requested help from county hall but unfortunately they say it isn’t an issue which warrants spending public money.
“I understand their predicament but I need to demonstrate that I’m achieving the aspirations of my constituents.
“If it is a matter of money then I am willing to do the job myself.”
The tree has caused problems for Mr Potter for a number of years.
The blossom almost caused a serious injury to his 94-year-old mother-in-law who slipped on the driveway.
But despite the offer of help from Coun Holgate, Mr Potter doesn’t feel it is fair.
He said: “Coun Holgate shouldn’t have to do a job like this, it’s the job of the county council.I can’t do the job as I have to use the ladders and it won’t be easy for Coun Holgate either and I don’t think he should climb any ladders. It should be the job of the county council, not Coun Holgate.”
Andrew Burrows, Lancashire County Council’s highways manager for Chorley, said: “Lancashire County Council will always take action to prune or remove highway trees that cause a serious safety hazard to the public or adjacent property, such as removal of dead or diseased branches, but generally we will not use resources to undertake work to highway trees that are in a good healthy condition.”
