Very large tree problem

[stringvest]

My elderly relatives live in a small terrace of four houses which is set back from the road. Their nextdoor neighbour owns the path, they have right of access. Another neighbour immediately infront has a large tree in their back garden. In 1997 the tree was 6ft fence height. The tree has grown so big that my relatives can no longer see down the path,or into the street, the upstairs is gloomy. The tree canopy obscures the whole of the top of their house including the roof, and spreads the whole width of the path, putting the shrubs there in the shade, the telephone lines are entangled in it?. The roots of the tree are lifting the path up? The services run underneath.

We have requested numerous times to various owners of the tree that it is pruned to no avail. Didn't want it to turn into one of those expensive court hedge things !!

What can I now do?

[se84]

Have you tried contacting the council? I realise they don't own the land but they may be able to help somehow. Worth a try I'd say!

[Saffron]

You may be able to make an insurance claim against neighbours if there is damage to services running to your property. Also, so long as there is no TPO, don't you have the right to prune any branches overhanging your own residence?

[Saffron]

Even if there is no damage (yet), the threat of an insurance claim might be quite motivating! xx

[stringvest]

Thanks people for your replies. I will contact the council for advice. I know I probably could get the offending half cut by tree surgeons, but probably at considerable expense, as the canopy is so large.

It used to be a pretty flower filled pathway, but as neighbours have come and gone (and my relatives are too frail to do anything), its full of bins, overgrown and quite neglected. Shame.

[se84]

Great - let us know how you get on with the council!