I'm Dam sick of it

Jenness Mitchell • Published 5 Sep 2012 11:00 8 Comments

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A Sauchie resident is at the end of his tether with the state of his street.

Graham Carberry (41), from Gartmorn Road, has been chasing Clackmannanshire Council since June 2011 to remove the row of trees outside his house.

The roots have caused damage along the lane by upheaving paths, driveways and gardens. Several walls are uneven and due to the lack of natural light they are covered in moss.

Graham told the Advertiser that the damage is becoming costly.

He said, "I've spent £120 over the past year to get rid of all the moss, to pressure-wash the garden and to clean the guttering. The size of the trees are affecting the phone and Sky TV signals and some of my neighbours have had to have their Sky dishes realigned and moved up."

Graham, who runs dog care service Wee County Walkies, moved back into his old family home to look after his father.

He said, "My dad takes pride in and loves his garden. It breaks my heart that he can't tend to it."

Graham also has an issue with the lack of dog waste bins available and feels the grass banking across the road has not been maintained properly. While the sides have been cut, the top has been left to overgrow - again restricting sunlight.

Graham said, "The banking is a mess, the council have done half a job. I've spoke to them, but they said it wasn't their responsibility."

Graham has gathered a petition signed by 16 households for the complete removal of the trees.

The council has chopped down several in the past, but the majority have only been trimmed - leaving the height and foliage to cause additional concerns during bad weather in case they fall over.

Graham added, "Our quality of life is now being affected and I'm tired of the false promises and lies from the council. It's come to the point I'd be quite happy to get the chainsaw out and do it myself."

At the time of going to print, a spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council was unavailable for comment.

This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 05 Sep 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

blackakira
Unregistered User
Sep 5, 12:24
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you know what in light of the bigger picture of the world going around you, fuck the trees.

fact is they have been there as long as I remember so leave them alone they will out live you by a long shot.

Recommend? Yes 15 No 15
Mandy40
1 post
Sep 5, 13:08
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Totally understand. I have trees outside my garden which block any natural light, the roots have so called been treated but the outer path is still badly cracked and very uneven. Was told the tree would not be removed as its required for oxygen. Would a counciller accept this outside their garden.NO dont think so!!!!!

Recommend? Yes 12 No 2
Robert
Unregistered User
Sep 5, 13:15
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Not only do trees close to houses cause problems above ground they also cause a lot of problems underground, they wreck the foundations of the buildings, break underground drains and pipes, and will make your buildings insurance rocket if the tree happens to be less than 500 feet away from the house, and if your silly enough not to tell the insurance company about the trees they have every right not to pay out on any claim regardless of the trees involvment in the claim. i know all this because a neighbours tree did damage to our house, during a storm, i didnt think it would be a problem claiming until the insurance company found out how close the tree was, and that i hadnt told them it was so close so i had to pay to have it fixed myself but still pay my premium each month.

Recommend? Yes 10 No 3
Big G
Unregistered User
Sep 6, 13:59
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I walk down this road every day and enjoy the sight of the trees. The pathway isn't half as bad as what has been reported here. I'm confdent the coucil would rectify any issues if there was any. I would be interested in what the other residents, who have lived there longer, feel about the trees.

A fair comment was made further up the page:

"fact is they have been there as long as I remember so leave them alone they will out live you by a long shot."

This sounds to me just a good way of the chappy to advertise his dog walking business

Recommend? Yes 10 No 8
the end is nigh
Unregistered User
Sep 6, 17:10
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theres always going a difference of opinion on any subject level in life and everyone is entitled to do so,however if you take time to read the article properly you will see that a petition was submitted by "ALL I6 RESIDENTS" of the street! this is not a one man crusade niether is it a free plug for business! if this was the case id have made sure of doing it a lot better.this is not a new complaint as other residents have been on this issue for the past 5 years. its always intresting to hear views from people who dont have to live with this everyday on thier front door. if you would like to discuss this matter further pop by ill make you a brew and we will have a chat as faceless negativity holds no water. we are happy for the replantation of trees that are keeping with residential dwellings and not ones that belong in a woodland forrest which are destroying the very foundations of the properties and ruining the quality of civilian life. hope to see you soon.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 2
the end is nigh
Unregistered User
Sep 6, 18:03
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p.s forgot to mention, i was brought up here and my family has been here some 40 plus years as has the majority of residents and is in effect a very good street with very reputable residents. i was asked to help as the current main campainger now has health problems and is now unable to pursue as much as they used to. the local M.P has been to view problems and concerns and is 100 percent behind this motion. walking by this street is one thing , living is another. im sure some streets in iraq are beautiful but you wouldnt want to live there.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 0
amkel
Unregistered User
Sep 9, 11:11
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You should try living in hawkhill alloa, the trees are about 70 foot high and only 15-20 feet away from the houses.they are an absolute nightmare. If any of these trees were to fall down in bad weather god help the tenants.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 0
Mabel C
Unregistered User
Sep 9, 19:07
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Have to agree wholeheartidly with Mr Carberry from Wee County Walkies. Easy to comment when you dont have to live with it, and hard to watch the house you and you're family worked hard all their lives for to be put at risk. The banking used to have a clear path through it for people to walk their dogs and not foul the street, where is it now? C'mon council you used to be better than this.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 0

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