Reilly calls on Minister for action to be taken on 'nuisance' trees

Derry SDLP Councillor Martin Reilly has revealed he has written to the Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard calling for action to be taken on 'nuisance' trees in Derry – including overhanging branches which could potentially pose a safety risk.

Cllr Reilly was speaking after being contacted by a number of his constituents in the Waterside seeking maintenance of trees which belong to Transport NI and were blocking their natural light, creating difficulties with leaves, blocking satellite coverage etc.

Cllr Reilly added; “These constituents are seeking action on trees which could also pose a safety risk and have been left unattended for some time.

“The Department for Infrastructure have been allocated over £1.6 million to Grass Cutting, Weed Control & Tree Maintenance for the Western Division for this financial year.

“I have therefore asked the Minister for a breakdown of this figure for tree maintenance and have queried whether he will dedicate more resources to this problem given a recent announcement that the Finance Minister has allocated him more funds in the recent October Monitoring Round.”

Cllr Reilly concluded: “It is up to the owners of trees – in this case Transport NI – to ensure that they are not a nuisance to other neighbours – so I am calling on the Minister to ensure that urgent remedial action is taken and that his department’s property is not causing unwanted problems for my constituents.”