Blown down tree blocks main road

High winds sent a large tree crashing across one of Stafford's busiest roads, blocking it for hours.

Residents on Weston Road were shocked to see one of the trees which line the road come down yesterday as strong winds hit the town.

The tree, which is thought to have been rotten inside, blocked the full width of the road for more than two hours while police diverted traffic and a tree surgeon was called out.

It is thought to have come down at around 2.30pm outside No. 4 Weston Road, near to its junction with Corporation Street and Riverway.

No-one was hurt and, fortunately, no cars were passing beneath the tree when it fell.

Howard Farmer, whose house was in the shadow of the tree was relieved it had not fallen in the opposite direction.

He said: "I didn't see it actually fall as I had been up to the crematorium but when I came back I could see it lying across the whole of the road.

"The police closed the road while they got someone out to clear it up.

"If it had gone the other way it would have taken out the car and half the house so we were very lucky."

Mr Farmer said the tree was normally pruned along with others on Weston Road but that had not been done this year.

He added: "They have pruned all the others but not this one. My first reaction when I saw it was well they won't have to bother now.

"I went out to have a look at it and it was all rotten inside."

Stafford Borough Council has surveyed thousands of trees over fears the council could be hit with costly lawsuits by people injured from a falling tree or branch.

So far 100 trees deemed to be a risk have been cut down, while another 94 have had safety work carried out. This has cost taxpayers £34,900.

In total the borough council has surveyed 15,041 trees across the district since January.

This has identified another 301 trees that may pose a safety risk. It is not known if the tree that fell on Weston Road had been identified as a possible safety risk.