An Aberdeen MSP has called on council chiefs to urgently trim overgrown trees in his constituency after a number of reports from residents.
Donside member Mark McDonald said residents have written to him after experiencing problems such as natural light being blocked, phone and internet lines being affected, and concern that roots may impact building foundations.
Mr McDonald has since written to chief executive Angela Scott urging her to take action to better address the concerns of residents affected by tree overgrowth.
Yesterday, the Press and Journal reported on the plight of 76-year-old John Irvine who complained over a 30ft tree blocking the light into a Woodside block of flats.
Mr McDonald said: “I am baffled that the council is disregarding the plight of residents who are literally being left in the dark by looming branches blocking windows, and even cutting out phone lines.
“Worryingly the council say they will not trim excessive tree growth unless there is a public safety risk.
“This is not a call to cut down trees in their entirety, it is good to have them around the city, but it is irresponsible of the council to allow tree branches to grow into telephone wires and across windows, or to leave roots to go deep underground and cause concern for foundations of people’s homes.”
Infrastructure convener Neil Cooney said that the council took a “light touch approach” to dealing with overgrown trees.
He said: “The position is that if they are touching the property or the roof they will be trimmed.”
