Dead Street Trees Left Until They Fall?

I am calling for urgent action on dead and dangerous street trees after two recent incidents highlighted the risks facing residents. Earlier this year a large branch in Milnthorpe Road fell and damaged a parked car, and in Ratton a tree first reported in 2023 finally came down across a footpath. In both cases concerns had been raised well before the trees failed, yet nothing was done in time.

Eastbourne’s trees have been badly affected by Dutch elm disease and ash dieback, but residents should not have to live with clearly dead trees hanging over roads and pavements for months on end. People reasonably expect action before a dangerous tree comes down, not afterwards. We have had cars damaged already; next time it could be a pedestrian. There is no excuse for leaving obviously unsafe trees standing.

Since April, responsibility for highway trees in Eastbourne has been transferred to East Sussex County Council after our borough council ended its sub‑contracting role.

A recent survey identified almost 100 priority diseased elms, including 54 in Meads, 21 in Old Town, 11 in Upperton and 8 in Ratton, yet East Sussex County Council is only now beginning the process of tendering a contract to remove about half of them.
 

The decision to hand over this service appears to have been taken with little forethought, creating a backlog that is not being dealt with. I am calling on both councils to treat the risk from dead trees seriously and to bring forward works on those next to homes and busy walking routes.