Trees which have been treacherously leaning on cabling on a rural road near Aughnacloy since Storm Éowyn have been branded as “an accident waiting to happen” by a local resident.
The two fallen trees are said to be “dangerously” stretching cabling – with one tree holding the other up – and both hanging precariously over the road.
The concerned resident voiced their worries about the fallen trees on the Rehaghy Road to local Councillor Frances Burton who has since raised the issue with a number of authorities.
However, the councillor said she has been frustrated by a lack of clarity about who is responsible for the trees’ removal.
Speaking to Armagh, Councillor Burton explained: “The first resident who reported it to me said that it was electrical cables but it has turned out now that they are BT wires.
“NIE did come out and check it during the storm but said they were not their cables.
“These trees are a torture and honestly, people are killed every year.”
Expressing a sense of urgency in the matter, Councillor Burton said: “If you could see the two trees today. I think one is holding the other one up and it’s shifted a wee bit with yesterday’s storm so it’s only a matter of time until they do come down onto the road.
“The wires were under a lot of pressure between the two trees before this latest movement.
“I sincerely hope the department and service providers will not wait until the wires snap and the trees fall sadly on a motorist or walker.”
The councillor added that the trees are located on the lead up to a corner with poor visibility and she worries that, if they do fall, they will pose a particular hazard to motorists coming from Dungannon heading towards Aughnacloy.
Seeking remedy, Councillor Burton has further contacted Mid Ulster Council, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and BT.
“Tress can be owned by The Housing Executive, by local farmers, by council and by DfI,” she added. The subject of accountability has concerned her for many years and one which she has been pressing.
It has also been well backed, she says. In particular by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey – who speaking during the time of Stormont’s hiatus during the Covid Pandemic – told the Councillor that it would be a priority.
However, Councillor Burton explained: “My worry is as the term of Stormont goes through there is less likelihood of new legislation going through that will make this a priority and put new rules in that will make people more accountable for tree maintenance; whether it be DFI, the Housing Executive or an individual.”
A spokesperson for Openreach (the company wholly owned by BT Group plc responsible for maintaining telephone cables, ducts, cabinets and exchanges) said: “If there are trees that are falling, or have fallen, on our network it would be the landowner or Department for Infrastructure that would need to attend.”
The spokesperson added that once the trees have been removed if there is subsequent damage to the cabling Openreach would at that point come out to inspect and remedy any fault.
Armagh I have contacted the Department for Infrastructure for comment.
