hello

If a tree has fallen across a permissive footpath on land owned and managed by a county council is someone obliged to move it if the tree is causing an obstruction ?

please advise

If you want it moved then either move it or inform the land owner, I’d be polite though rather than asking who is obliged to move the tree.

Does the managing body know about it? There will certainly be an obligation to maintain the route in a safe condition. I would have thought that in today’s climate of fear they would be happy to clear the tree ASAP. Trouble with permissive footpaths is that the permission may withdrawn at any time. What was permissive last year may be trespass this year (though signs should be placed well in advance I guess)

Build a jump over it 😀

Phone the county council and report it?

I am going to email the woman at the council. I just wanted to know if I had any legal recourse to suggest that they HAD to remove the obsutction, which I guess I dont.

easy on the capitals 🙂 it’s a bit of a first world problem

mikewsmith – Member
If you want it moved then either move it or inform the land owner, I’d be polite though rather than asking who is obliged to move the tree.

+1, going in all gun blazing saying “you must move this now, it the LAWWWW!!!” is hardly going to make you any friends or get prompt action. Inform the council of the issue and see what there response is, then look at taking it further, if nothing else by getting other ppl to report the issue too.

Did anyone hear it fall?

If you get in touch with them, they’ll immediately send a team round, come and discuss the issue, and offer an immediate effective solution, to everyones satisfaction. Then get straight on with the job in hand with ruthless efficiency.

They’ll probably give you a leaflet with a hotline number on it that you can contact 24 hours a day, to talk to a a therapist, to discuss the trauma you’ve been through, and any other issues you’d like raised.

They’re like that, councils

Permissive FP so I’d guess they’ve no obligation. They can probably remove access too, so go easy.
Where is it? I need firewood.

Although permissive paths aren’t generally subject to RoW law, there is an exception to require the removal of trees / etc as it applies to “any footpath to which the public has access” so report it, especially as it’s also owned by the council 🙂