'Disgusted' by council inaction (From Barry And District News)

'Disgusted' by council inaction

A BARRY pensioner is disgusted at the local authority's failure to act on what he sees as a potentially lethal danger in his garden.

Retired civil servant Jim Morgan and his wife Noela moved into their Ffordd Cwm Cidi home at the end of February. Their property backs onto Porthkerry Park.

The 71-year old told the News: "The problems are being caused by two trees. The first is forcing his fence inwards. The second, and far more serious, is where decaying limbs are crashing over the fence and into the couple's garden.

Recovering from a heart attack he suffered while clearing the front garden Mr Morgan added: "I've written to the Vale of Glamorgan Council with little joy. I've had separate visits from the Tree Officer and from the Assistant Park Ranger, who agreed the trees were potentially dangerous and both said the council would clear them.

"No appointment was made, but returning home one day in early June, there was a card saying an aboriculturalist had called to view the problem.

"When I contacted him, he said he didn't need to see the trees himself, but would contact the council and read the correspondence.

"Since then I've heard nothing, apart from when I wrote to say I would employ my own tree doctor and bill the authority.Then I received a letter saying the council would not be responsible for any fees arising from unauthorised works on trees belonging to the council.That was July 22 and I'm still waiting."

Operational Manager (Parks and Ground Maintenance) Phil Beaman said: "In the context of limited resources, the council has to consider and prioritise a large number of requests for tree work. Following discussions with Mr Morgan it has been agreed to undertake appropriate works in early September."