A decades-old tree had to be chopped down after being irreparably damaged by electricity workers in East Reading.
Joe Edwards, who lives in Redlands Road, has reported that a large tree near was damaged by utility contractors.
Mr Edwards said: “I live on Redlands Road and during the week before Easter an 80-year-old tree opposite my house was taken down completely without any notice.
“I found out from the tree contractors, Goldleaf, that this was due to the electricity company cutting through the roots to repair a cable which made the tree unsafe.
“I find it amazing that they should be allowed to do such irreparable damage – they must know how to re-route cable around trees.”
The tree has been chopped down near the Redlands Road junction with Morgan Road.
The electricity in the area is maintained by SSEN, a subsidiary of SSE.
A spokesperson for SSEN said: “Electricity network operators have an obligation to maintain the infrastructure powering street lighting to ensure the safety of the public.
“While carrying out essential repairs to fix light column failures on behalf of the council, engineers were forced to cut a stabilisation root on a tree growing over cabling.
“It was apparent that the tree’s other two main roots had already been affected by work carried out by another utility in the past, and that it therefore posed a danger to residents and workers.
“A site visit from the council’s highways inspector resulted in the immediate suspension of works and the requirement for the tree to be felled.
“SSEN is engaged with the council regarding this matter and notes the council’s statement about the health of the tree.”
Reading Borough Council is pressing SSE to recover the costs of cutting down the tree.
A spokesperson said: “We can confirm this tree sadly had to be felled as a matter of urgency after it was left in a dangerous condition when SSE operatives cut through the last remaining stabilisation root holding the tree in place whilst repairing a cable.
“The works were being carried out by SSE on behalf of the council, fixing light column failures.
“On inspection by the council, works were immediately suspended and the tree was felled for public safety reasons. It was also apparent that previous damage had been caused to the tree’s other two main roots, we believe by other utility works which we are unable to verify.
“Under normal circumstances, the council would have placed a public notice on the tree at least 10 days before removal to alert local residents, but the urgent need to remove the tree for public safety reasons meant this was not possible in this instance.
“All utility companies have set guidance to follow when working in proximity to trees and there is an expectation on the part of the Council that they follow this.
“The Council will be seeking to recover the full costs of removal and replacement of the tree from SSE.”
