Island Roads Warn Landowners: Manage Your Trees or Face the Costs!
After a brutal wet winter and wild early spring, fallen trees and heavy branches have been crashing onto roads and pavements. Island Roads is now cracking down, reminding landowners they must keep trees near highways in check to keep everyone safe.
Who’s Responsible for Tree Safety?
Island Roads clears trees on public roads and maintains those along the network. But many trees sit on private property. In those cases, the landowner holds the reins. They must ensure their trees don’t pose dangers to drivers and pedestrians.
Island Roads has even released a handy Protect and Inspect leaflet detailing what landowners need to do to reduce risks. The group has also roped in the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Country Landowners Association (CLA) to spread the word among their members.
Fail to Act and You Could Pay Up
Got a tree that falls onto a road from your land? Island Roads can slap you with a bill for the cleanup. They also have the power to issue notices demanding action if a tree or vegetation becomes a safety hazard.
Island Roads Calls for Cooperation
“Our preferred option is always to work with landowners who, in the vast majority of cases, do what is required of them to ensure the highway network is kept as safe as possible,” said Kevin Burton, Island Roads’ network manager.
“High winds, snow, and soaking ground earlier this year made trees more likely to topple onto highways. These incidents disrupt travel and threaten safety all year round.”
“We’re urging the CLA and NFU to remind their members about these responsibilities. While we don’t blame them for any incidents this year, these organisations have been key partners in helping us get the message out.”
Landowners can grab advice and download the Protect and Inspect leaflet at islandroads.com or pick up a copy at Island Roads’ HQ on Daish Way, Newport.
