Council staff who battled to clear dozens of fallen trees when a Black Country borough was battered by a storm have been given a personal thank you from the authority’s chief executive.
Sandwell Council’s urban forestry team went into action over the May bank holiday as winds reached 45mph.
Working around the clock, they responded to more than 60 pleas for help from the police, fire service and residents.
They used chainsaws and other heavy equipment to lop branches and shift trees which had been blown down, including a 60ft oak which crashed to the ground in Manor Road, Smethwick.
Steve Robinson, urban forestry manager, directed the clean-up operation as the storm raged overhead.
He said: “We knew from the weather forecasts it was going to be bad so were prepared as best we could.
“However, when the incidents started to come in thick and fast we only managed to keep up because of the willingness and determination of the team.
“They had to endure horrendous conditions – using potentially dangerous equipment in driving rain – but met the challenge superbly.” The six-strong team worked with external contractors, Wolverhampton Tree Services.
Sandwell Council’s chief executive Allison Fraser congratulated the team.
She said: “The urban forestry team go about their business without any fuss but the borough is a safer place because of them.”
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