A good day's work on trees

SOME time ago there was a request from the St Stephens Police Neighbourhood Panel for East Sussex County Council to prune the trees in the 'Gunters Narrows' because the trees were shrouding the street lights and making the road and foot path very gloomy, and it became unpleasant to walk down the footpath.

With the transfer of the Bexhill High School to the top of Gunters Lane there would be very many more people wanting to use the road and the footpath.

During the summer, East Sussex County Council replaced the railings all the way along the footpath, but the overhanging trees and thick undergrowth was still a problem. At first ESCC considered the land was owned by the houses that backed onto the road, but after some extensive land registry searches it was concluded that the bank was of “indeterminate ownership”. At my request, ESCC Highways agreed to prune the trees to give better light to the road and the footpath. ESCC contracted with Bexhill tree surgeons to do the task, and arranged for a Road Closure Order of the Gunters Narrows for Sunday November 28.

When the day came, the road was closed, but the snow started coming down. Bexhill tree surgeons continued with the task knowing that this was the only day of the road closure.

The ESCC forestry officer was present, and found that many of the trees had damaged root systems and advised that the trees were coppiced instead of just being pruned. This would enable the regrowth next year to be stronger, and ensure that the roots hold the bank together.

The sound of chainsaws was heard all day, but by the end of the day the whole length of the Gunters Narrows was clean and clear of foliage.

The end result has brightened approach to the area, and has enabled the street lights to properly illuminate the road and the footpath.

A good day’s work.

CLLR MICHAEL ENSOR

Central Ward

Bexhill-on-Sea