Anger over tree that fell into garden in Stowmarket, Suffolk

The tree, in a public alleyway behind Lockington Crescent in Stowmarket, had been showing warning signs of disintegration for the past year, according to a resident.

Mark Seaman, who lives next door to the affected garden, said he had been forced to pay about £500 in repairs after tree debris fell on his roof last year, cracking five tiles and causing a leak.

At about 10am on Friday a large section fully crumbled into his neighbour's garden, with Mr Seaman saying he made numerous reports to local authorities over the last year.

The tree fell into the garden on Friday (September 1) (Image: Mark Seaman)

According to Mr Seaman, the elderly neighbours were informed that as the tree had fallen on private property, Suffolk Highways would not intervene, and they had to instead pay the fee for a tree surgeon to remove it.

Mr Seaman said: "I cannot see how that's fair as it is the council's property that has damaged someone's private property.

"It landed in the garden of my elderly neighbors, presenting a grave potential danger to their wellbeing had they been in their garden at the time.

"I believe this is a pressing matter concerning public safety, particularly related to the action, or lack thereof, from Suffolk Highways. 

It has also caused cracked tiles in Mr Seaman's roof, needing £500 worth of repairs (Image: Mark Seaman)

"I have been diligently reporting this for the last year. It has been creating an unsafe environment for my family. The whole alleyway is overgrown and needs to be maintained. It's disgraceful really.

“There was no wind last week at all, so it collapsed purely from the rain. Imagine what it can be like when we get 40 mile an hour winds in winter."

Suffolk County Council was approached for comment, but did not respond.