A MAN fears his property could be broken apart by the roots of a huge overgrown tree.

Ken Keeping, of Tinkler Side, Basildon, claims the council is ignoring his requests to cut the tree back after he and his neighbour’s garages were structurally damaged.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Cracking - the damage which has allegedly been caused by the tree root

The tree, on the corner near his house, is Basildon Council’s responsibility to maintain, and has grown to enormous size with several low hanging branches.

Council bossed have stated previous work to manage the tree has been delayed due to nesting birds but work will commence this month to keep it under control.

Mr Keeping said: “It’s not just about the size of the tree itself, it’s the roots that are causing the biggest problems for us and I fear they’re just going to get worse.

“The roots are causing structural damage to my garage, and I suspect to garages next to my property as well.

“There is a crack in the floor and the door frame has moved away from the brick walls.”

The 72-year-old added: “My neighbour’s property is also being affected.

“We have made contact with Basildon Council regarding the overgrown tree, which is the council’s responsibility.

“We have asked them to take action to cut it back; but they are not responsive.

“Whenever I have called them they just gave me a reference number.

“It’s been getting worse for years and whenever you call them it leads nowhere.

“It is getting to the stage where are really getting worried about it and how bad it’s going to get.”

Mr Keeping added: “As residents, we are concerned about structural damage which is being caused and that given anymore time this may not only affect the garages but also our houses which are only yards away.

“Who knows how far this could spread if it’s not cut back or at least maintained.

“We need the council to act quickly.”

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “We received a report about indirect tree root damage caused to a property on August 2.

“We will be referring the resident to our insurance team.

“Works to pollard the tree to its previous pruning point have been delayed due to nesting birds.

“However, they are scheduled to be completed next week.”