Here is what the officer wrote us

Dear Councillor

Thank you for your email dated 19 March 2014 regarding the above.

Following enquiries from both residents and Councillors in previous years, the area Arboricultural Officer surveyed Brownlow Road to identify suitability of the road for new and replacement tree planting, however he reported that there are no suitable sites to accommodate new trees within this road.

On receipt of this latest enquiry our Senior Arboricultural Officer surveyed Brownlow Road on 26 March 2014 and confirmed that he agrees with his colleague’s findings. However, he found four locations where we could squeeze new trees in, if pressured, although utilising these would still be subject to utility searches.

These sites would not normally be utilised as they are borderline acceptable and will result in sight line obstructions to vehicles exiting their properties into Brownlow Road, and will further become reduced as the trees mature and the trunks increase in size. Furthermore, as the trees mature the dropped kerb ramps adjacent to these locations will become displaced and will likely result in insurance claims and possible loss of trees at a relatively young age.

Therefore, it may be useful to arrange a site meeting and to walk along both sides of the road and then discuss the suitability of each location individually. This is an option that has already been offered to one of [your] constituents.

If we do agree to utilise any sites, this could then be programmed in time for next winter’s planting programme.

I hope this answers your enquiry.

Yours sincerely

Stephen Skinner

Head of Highway Services