Trees near the highway can become a safety risk if damaged or unstable.
If you see a damaged or overhanging tree near the highway, you can tell us using our online reporting form.
Our online reporting form takes around 3 to 5 minutes to complete.
How we assess reports
Please tell us:
- the location of the damaged tree
- extent of issue
- photographs if available
If you are reporting an emergency that requires immediate attention, please call us on 0300 373 3306. An emergency on the highway is defined as something that is very likely to present an imminent threat to life, serious injury or serious damage to property. Our team will assess the severity of your report and escalate accordingly.
Investigatory levels
We will usually investigate:
- dead or dying trees
- damaged limbs
- unstable trees
- visibility obstructions
- highway obstruction
What happens after you submit a report
Our inspectors will assess the risk and determine what action is required.
How we prioritise repairs
We assess defects using our Highway Condition and Safety Inspection Procedure and classify them as:
- Emergency Defect – we will make the defect safe as quickly as possible, usually within 2 hours
- High Priority Defect – we will repair the defect within 5 working days
- Standard Priority Defect – we will repair the defect within 20 working days
- Monitor Only – we will record the defect and continue to monitor it through future inspections
We carry out a site-specific risk assessment for every defect before deciding what action to take. This means a defect that meets an investigatory level may not always require immediate repair.