TOWN councillor Mark Lithgow says a branch hanging precariously on a tree at Roly Poly Green in Wellington could cause injury to a passer-by if it fell.

He was told about the state of the tree by the busy Longforth Road in late November and is concerned that no action has been taken.

He said the tree’s condition was reported last month on Taunton Deane Borough Council’s (TDBC) website which says that if council-owned trees pose a danger to people or properties the council will carry out emergency works within 24 hours of the report. 

Cllr Lithgow said the branch was still hanging ‘dangerously’ on Sunday (December 10) despite prompts from Wellington Town Council clerk Greg Dyke and his own complaint.

Cllr Lithgow said: “I have been in contact with the arboricultural manager for Taunton Deane & West Somerset and they are as frustrated with this situation as I am.”

He says he has been told that the branch is within a metre of a power line and therefore needs to be handled by TDBC’s contractors Western Power. 

Cllr Lithgow, a LibDem on the town council, added: “I am concerned that council staff are stretched to breaking point and are unable to  operate within their Service Level Statements.

“What really concerns me is that currently TDBC has cut funding so much that the public are now being put at risk. This will only get worse if the controversial merger between TDBC and West Somerset  goes ahead.”