Tree Branch Cutting Around Bray Hill Area

Summary

A request was made to understand the rationale behind the removal of foliage from trees on Port-E-Chee Ave and High View Rd in Bray Hill. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the work was based on a tree survey following complaints and licensed advice to use pollarding for height restriction and tree longevity.

Key Facts

• The trees are maintained by the Department of Infrastructure.
• A tree survey was conducted following several complaints from the public.
• The work was carried out under a licence issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
• Pollarding was advised by contractors to restrict tree height and extend their lives.
• Pollarding is described as common practice among UK local authorities.

Data Disclosed

• 3846902
• 2024-05-08
• 2024-05-20
• 20 May 2024
• 8 May 2024
• IM1 2RF
• (01624) 686785
• Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015

Original Request

Hi, I've recently noticed that the trees that line the roads off of Bray Hill (Port-E-Chee Ave and High View Rd) have had their branches cut back removing all foliage - what is the rationale for this work to have been undertaken? Thanks

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 3846902 20 May 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 8 May 2024, which states:

"Hi, I've recently noticed that the trees that line the roads off of Bray Hill (Port-E-Chee Ave and High View Rd) have had their branches cut back removing all foliage - what is the rationale for this work to have been undertaken? Thanks"

Our response to your request is as follows:

The trees are maintained by the Department of Infrastructure and following several complaints a tree survey of the area was undertaken, the work follows the advice of that survey. One of the conditions of the licence issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to undertake this work was to meet the contractors on site and so the pollarding has also come from their advice. Pollarding is very common practice throughout local authorities in the UK as it keeps trees restricted to a certain height and extends their lives.

Please quote the reference number 3846902 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or

1. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.