No strategy to deal with Glenwood’s rotting trees
Ward councillor to table a formal question to council to try and establish what they plan to do with the problem of falling trees in Glenwood.
ANOTHER rotten tree came crashing down at the intersection of Cromwell and Bulwer Roads last Tuesday afternoon.
“My 13-year-old son was understandingly shaken up by this massive tree having fallen over right outside our house and I shudder to think that he had literally just walked in from school! Had he been delayed for any reason, the falling of this giant tree could have had tragic consequences! This is a route taken by a large number of pupils from local schools in the community such as Glenwood Preparatory School, Glenwood High School and Camelot College, in both the mornings and afternoons,” said Karina Brand.
She said another tree had also fallen over at the intersection of Brand and Marcus Roads earlier this month.
On 28 March, The Berea Mail featured an article about the falling trees in Glenwood, in which it reported that local ward councillor, Nicole Graham, had asked for a meeting with eThekwini Parks and Recreation Unit to discuss the dangers the falling trees posed, not only to property, but also the risks to the public.
“I trust that the necessary action will be taken by the relevant authorities as these falling trees are not an 'act of God' – it is something that the city is aware of and need to address urgently to avoid these on-going occurrences ending in tragedy. If they fail the community in this regard, despite repeated warnings, they are leaving us vulnerable and would be answerable should there be a serious incident,” said Brand.
Ward councillor Nicole Graham said Parks had responded to her request saying that falling trees were part and parcel of older suburbs and were very difficult to manage. “I requested a short term measure be put in place to deal properly with the backlog of trees needing attention in Glenwood as currently Parks lacks capacity in this department. Getting trees cut takes months, even if they are rotten or filled with borer. As far as I am aware, there is no strategy in place to deal with these problems and trees continue to fall, posing a risk to this community. Parks are also difficult to communicate with as their responses are slow and sometimes non-existent. I will table a formal question in August's council meeting to try and establish what they plan to do in this regard.”
