TREES POSE BIG PROBLEM FOR COUNCIL

More than 400 telephone calls have been received today by the Christchurch City Council about problems with trees in the storm.

Calls started early this morning and continuing unabated at 5pm The Asset Manager of the Parks Unit, Richard Holland, said today that only extremely urgent cases could be handled. This involved clearing up tree damage that directly affected flooding, road closings, and the loss of power. In one incident three trees were blocking the Heathcote River at Palatine Terrace. Ten crews were working for the Parks Unit on the streets. It is not known how long the crews will be able to work into the night. Mr Holland said people with problems with garden trees would have to call in their own tree surgeons. He asked if people had telephone the Council not to repeat the calls as they were logged on a database. Work not completed today would be dealt with tomorrow, he said. Earlier today all city parks were closed because of the danger of falling trees. Assessments of damage to trees would be carried out from tomorrow, he said. More than 6000 calls were received today by the City Council's Customer Centres which is double the usual rate. end

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