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Storms take their toll with fourfold increase in fallen trees

By: Danny Boyle

Published: 11:08, 06 January 2012

Updated: 11:14, 06 January 2012

A fallen tree closed the A20 between Ashford and Charing

Highway workers tackled 170 fallen trees and branches in just one day as storms lashed Kent this week.

Kent County Council saw the fourfold increase in emergency call-outs on Tuesday when winds of up to 60mph battered the county.

Road crews tackled almost 260 call-outs, with 170 of these to felled trees blocking roads.

The crews also tackled calls to flooding, drain-blockages and other roads-related incidents.

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Dover was the worst hit - the area had 25 calls for fallen trees or branches.

Cllr David Brazier, KCC’s deputy cabinet member for environment, highways and waste, reminded landowners of their responsibility to keep trees and bushes near roads in a safe condition.

He said: "The vast majority of trees and bushes that fell on to the roads came from privately owned land – it could be owned by private landowners, district councils, parish councils, housing associations and so on.

"It is the responsibility of the landowner to maintain these areas. These property owners are responsible for making sure that trees and bushes on their land do not pose a risk to road users, such as reducing visibility at junctions or bends, narrowing the width of roads or pavements, or obstructing road signs."

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