A six yearly programme of tree pruning was reintroduced in 2002. For years, cuts, triggered by the Tory Gov't meant that tree pruning was only done on trees that posed some kind of danger. A fuller explanation follows. - - - - Currently, the City Council has records of 8617 single standing highway trees on our database (this is believed to be 95% accurate). In addition there are around 60000 square meters of wooded plantations alongside some highways. A six year programme of pruning trees was introduced in 2002. The best estimate is that the Council has pruned in excess of 6500 trees within the programme. In addition a number of trees have been removed due to their condition. Issues to handle include - - Growth rate of trees is species dependant and some species are more vigorous than others; - Climatic changes are having an impact on tree growth. Warm humid Summers and mild Winters encourage more vigorous growth over a longer period; - Pruning of trees has changed over the years which has led to there being larger trees on Nottingham's streets, whilst this provides excellent landscape features in some areas of the city (Mapperley Park for example), other areas are being dominated by trees. - Trees are inspected and given a priority according to risk and potential damages, for example low branches over the highway, blocking street lights and interfering with telephone cables. Lime trees are a good example of trees requiring a more regular pruning regime and consideration for a reactive pruning programme in respect to the more vigorous species should be considered; Trees The mtce. budget for trees across the city was increased by £75,000 per year. A 6 year cyclical programme started at the beginning of 2002, after the survey of 8,000 street trees has been completed. Mapperley Park was scheduled to have all its trees pruned in 2003/04 and 2004/05. [Updated 2006-01-28]
Thursday, 13 December 2001
Money for pruning street trees
Mapperley's street trees are scheduled for a complete spruce up in 2003/04.
Tory cuts to Local Councils' budgets over the years meant services like scheduled, routine maintenance of Highway Street trees was cut, and replaced by emergency works only.
The City Council has now made sufficient money available for a programme of mtce. of street trees over a six year cycle.
Note, almost a sixth of this goes on Mapperley's trees alone, many in Mapperley Park.
Text from the Council report follows, which also shows how trees are prioritised for emergency works.
- - - -
13th December 2001
Report of the Director of Nottingham City Contract Works
Highways Street Trees
1. ... to seek Members approval for a 6 year planned maintenance programme and three year inspection programme for the City's street trees.
2. ... Approve a 6 year planned maintenance programme for City street trees as outlined in 4.4.
... Approve a 3 year inspection programme.
3. Background
3.1 In June 2001 the Resources Board approved an additional £75k revenue development for the maintenance of City street trees.
3.2 This commitment was further underpinned in October 2001 when the Environment, Planning & Transportation Board supported the principle of a cyclical planned maintenance programme.
3.3 In addition Members requested a further report identifying the proposed programme on a year by year basis.
4. Proposals
4.1 The Occupiers Liability Act 1957 and the Highways Act 1980 place a specific duty of care on Local Authorities and their responsibilities for street tree maintenance.
4.2 This responsibility goes beyond the simple introduction of a planned maintenance programme by requiring a programme of routine inspections by suitably qualified staff.
4.3 As a result it is proposed to implement a 6 year planned maintenance programme, complemented by a 3 year interim inspection regime.
4.4 The proposed planned maintenance programme has been developed from the detailed survey of all city street trees completed between June and September and reported to Environment, Planning & Transportation Board in October.
4.5 As a result and based on the age, density, distribution and condition of the current stock the following maintenance programme is proposed :
Year One -
Area 4 - Robin Hood, Lenton, Radford, Forest
Area 8 - Clifton West, Clifton East , Wilford
Area 5 - Trent, Greenwood
Year Two -
Area 2 - Mapperley, Basford
Year Three -
Area 2 - Sherwood, Portland
Year Four -
Area 7 - Bridge, Abbey
Area 1 - Bestwood Park, Bilborough, Bulwell East
Year Five -
Area 3 - Strelley, Aspley, Wollaton
Area 1 - Bulwell West, Byron
Area 3 - Beechdale
Year Six -
Area 6 - Park
Area 5 - Manvers, St. Ann's
4.6 As previously outlined in 4.2 in order for a local authority to discharge its duty of care for street trees any maintenance regime must be complemented by a regular inspection programme.
4.7 Whilst there are no specific statutory guidelines laid down for how regularly these inspections should be completed latest central government advice to managers of trunk roads is that they should be undertaken at least every 5 years or more frequently if advised by an experienced arboriculturalist.
4.8 Given the current size and nature of the City's street tree stock it is intended to complete such an inspection every 3 years.
4.9 This will enable detailed work programmes to be developed a year in advance of the schedule of maintenance laid down in 4.5 as well as allowing an interim inspection at the cycles mid term.
4.10 In order to preserve the current level of service city-wide works will also be prioritised as follows :
Priority One -
Emergency /reactive work
Priority Two -
Works associated with street scene programmes i.e. street lighting / footway repairs
Priority Three -
Planned maintenance
4.11 This will enable the new planned maintenance regime to dovetail with the existing service city wide as well as working where appropriate in conjunction with the authorities existing Street Lighting and Footpath Maintenance Programmes.
5. Financial Observations
5.1 The annual cost of programmed maintenance on a 6 year cycle including works associated with street lighting and footpath maintenance is estimated at £75K.
5.2 This together with a sum for essential reactive and emergency work will be contained within the existing budget of £132,150.
6. Customers
6.1 The health and safety of pedestrians and road users will be improved as a result of better tree management.
7. Regeneration
7.1 Regular and routine maintenance /inspection of highways trees will improve the overall health and condition of the existing trees. It will also identify trees that are no longer healthy and need to be replaced to provide continuous regeneration of the City's tree stock.
8. Our People
8.1 The involvement of existing tree workers will develop their potential for future direct management of the City's tree stock.
9. Making Nottingham a Safer City
9.1 The majority of highways trees are mature and could represent a risk to property and the public if mis managed.
10. Improving Health & Well Being
10.1 Healthy trees are essential for reducing the levels of pollution in the atmosphere, which results in an improved environment for the citizens of Nottingham. The aesthetic value of well managed trees is also considered to be beneficial to a healthy attitude of mind.
11. Best Value
11.1 A more proactive approach to tree management will result in healthier trees and lower unit maintenance costs. The subsequent reduction in risk will also result in reduced levels of storm damage with its attendance emergency works costs and insurance claims.
12. List of background papers other than published works or those disclosing confidential or exempt information
None.
13. Published documents referred to in compiling this report
‘A tree strategy for the City of Nottingham' - adapted 1996.
Rab Bird,
Director of Nottingham City Contract Works
Eastcroft Depot,
London Road,
Nottingham
NG2 3AH.
Contact Officer:
Bryn Orme, Assistant Director : Nottingham City Contract Works
tel: 9152206
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