FALLING trees have become a major problem in Glenwood, prompting local ward councillor Nicole Graham to take action.
Graham said she had contacted the Head of the eThekwini Parks and Recreation Unit to call for an urgent meeting to discuss the trees in the area after a huge tree fell across Nicholson road last week. She said last year a large tree had fallen in Clark Road and she had been inundated with calls from residents for tree cutting and who complained of the number of trees and branches that regularly fell onto cars, roofs and fences in the Glenwood and Umbilo areas.
“I have many problems in trying to get trees cut and maintained in this area, which I have raised since I took office. The unit is severely under capacity and is unable to deal with the volume of trees that need to be monitored, maintained and removed if necessary,” said Graham.
“It is far too common. Unless there is action taken, we will soon see very serious harm or injury resulting from one of these falling trees. The trees form a large part of Glenwood’s character and beauty, but need careful attention,” she said.
Graham said if the unit could not deal with the volume of trees requiring attention, they should request funding for a shorter outsourced contract to deal with the backlog.
“The damage to property is serious, but the risk to human beings is also increasing. The city needs to act before something more tragic happens,” she said.
