Carol Sung said it feels like “Croxteth isn’t on anyone’s list”
Overhanging trees are causing chaos in Croxteth
Overhanging trees in one part of north Liverpool have become so dangerous it almost caused a road traffic collision, according to a former city official. Carol Sung, who was the Labour representative for Croxteth for two years, said pavements in the area are unwalkable owing to overgrown trees and bramble.
Such is the issue on Parkstile Lane, the former councillor said she had to swerve out of the way to narrowly avoid hitting a man who had stepped out into the road to get past a tree that had grown too big. Ms Sung said she felt this reflected how “Croxteth isn’t on anyone’s list” for work to be done.
Ms Sung said she had taken it upon herself to clear the area in the past but was no longer able to. Liverpool Council said it would work to trim back the foliage in the coming weeks.
The former Labour councillor, who also represented Tuebrook between 2015 and 2018, said: “We have pavements that pedestrians cannot walk on due to overgrown trees and bramble. I have reported it over three weeks ago however, it appears not to be a priority.
“Recently while travelling along Parkstile Lane a man stepped into the road without checking the road to avoid a tree and almost into my car. Luckily, the lane is 20mph so I narrowly avoided him.
“I have no understanding of the priority for trees, however pedestrian safety appears not to be one of them.” Ms Sung, who was one of 18 Liverpool councillors to step down at May 2023’s all out elections, said there were problems near to Our Lady and St Swithin’s Catholic Primary School on Parkstile Lane.
Carol Sung (C) when she won the Tuebrook and Stoneycroft ward in 2015
She added: “The opposite side of the road by Mill House has a small pavement that people passing have to step into the road. Sadly this issue has been ongoing for years and I’ve never known the council to clear it.
“I have personally cleared the trees a couple of years ago after watching people walk in the road. Sadly I developed a problem with my shoulder and was given pills off the doctor so I avoid any strenuous work now.
“Until recently and after a visit from Liam Robinson (leader of Liverpool Council) the streets weren’t cleaned regularly and now are. For some reason Croxteth is at the bottom of any work that needs doing.
“I highlight the problems that are outstanding all the time and keep records. It’s as if Croxteth is not on anyone’s list.”
Overhanging trees are causing chaos in Croxteth
A spokesperson for Liverpool Council said: “We have been made aware of overhanging branches obstructing the pavement on Parkstile Lane and understand that this can cause issues for people walking along the street. Our teams will attend the site in the next few weeks to trim back the foliage so that it does not protrude past the fencing.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. We regularly prune branches close to roadsides and pavements, with this work usually taking place outside of nesting season.
“Sometimes these grow back faster than we anticipate or are missed during this work. All reported issues with overhanging branches are investigated and cleared in terms of priority.
“Many reports we receive refer to private properties, which are the responsibility of the landowner to clear.”