A DOG-WALKER is worried for public safety after a second tree has come crashing down onto a path within two weeks.
Arthur Bennett, 64, of Eastmere, is worried that someone is going to be killed if something is not done about the trees at Liden Lagoon.
Spotting the fallen tree on Thursday morning when he was walking his two poodles, Mr Bennett is astonished the council has not acted to protect people from trees he thinks are suffering from dry rot.
The fallen tree comes just two weeks after Mr Bennett was featured in the Adver warning about the state of the trees following the fall of a large willow tree.
He is amazed that no one was seriously injured or even killed, as the area is a popular spot with dog walkers and families.
“This is the second one to come down in exactly two weeks and it is extremely worrying,” he said.
“A lot of people use this area to walk their dogs or children and the elderly walk around here and all it takes is the tree to fall during the day and there could be someone dead.”
A Swindon Council spokesman said: “We inspect trees that run alongside footpaths every three years and can find no record of problems with the willows in question.
“If residents report tree defects to us we will carry out additional inspections. However, trees can sometimes show no signs of disease or distress before they fall down.
“We try to avoid cutting down healthy trees, even if they are old because most people want to see them retained in their environment.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here