Horkesley Heath resident claims tree branches 'fly-tipped' on driveway

Essex Highways staff were called to the A134 in Horkesley Heath after a large tree toppled over during Storm Henk.

According to resident Sam Cotton, workers tasked with clearing the scene dumped branches from the tree outside their home, blocking the driveway.

Essex Highways bosses have strongly disputed the allegation.

Sam, however, has doubled-down on his claims, saying workers "fly-tipped" on his property and failed to complete the job they had been tasked with carrying out.

Speaking to the Gazette, Sam said: “We are speechless with Highways' response from their inspector who stated this isn’t a danger to the public.

The branches were left in front of the home (Image: Public)

“The photos clearly show how the branches cut with the chainsaw have been thrown into our drive.

“We are banging our heads against the wall. They are refusing to see how dangerous this has become.”

According to Essex Highways, the branches were left on request.

A spokesman said: “Our supply chain partner attended a site on the A134 on Friday to clear away this tree.

“While doing so, a resident requested the clippings were left as they wanted to make use of the logs.”

The incident came as Storm Henk battered the county.

High winds and heavy rain brought on power cuts, transport troubles, property damage and disruption last week.

An amber warning for wind issued by the Met Office covered a central swathe of England, informing the public of possible travel disruption, roof damage and power cuts across Essex.

A fallen tree at Flood Lane in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

In addition to the one in Horkesley Heath, there were plenty of fallen trees reported across the county.

The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service also said its control room received a total of 110 calls relating to the storm in just seven hours.

Elsewhere in Colchester, resident Richard Sage spotted a fallen tree over the River Colne while walking along North Station Road.

A fallen tree on a business park in the city also blocked access to Flood Lane, a busy cut-through used by workers on the Severalls Industrial Estate.