Electricity North West is speaking with villagers regarding possible work it will have to carry out within the grounds of Tockholes United Reformed Church, Chapel Street.

Currently, a large Beech tree, which has stood in the grounds for many years, is now within 300mm of the overhead power lines. The tree presents an unacceptable safety risk and Electricity North West is time bound to rectify by the Health and Safety Executive.

The region’s power network operator started a consultation earlier this month asking residents on whether the tree should be felled or for the overhead lines to be removed and placed underground.

A number of responses have already been received and Tom Woolley, who is overseeing the work in Tockholes, is encouraging residents to submit any further comments ahead of Friday’s deadline.

“It’s important we hear from all the residents who we proactively contacted,” he said.

“We’ve had an excellent response and residents have been very understanding and appreciated we’ve asked for their opinion.

“The tree does present an unacceptable safety risk, unfortunately the most straightforward solution would be to remove the tree but as it’s established, we wanted to check the best approach with locals.

“I urge people that if you haven’t responded, please do so ahead of Friday’s deadline.”

Should residents choose for the tree to be removed, there will be a short power cut, so engineers can work safely and a temporary two-day road closure. If it as agreed the network will be placed underground, more than 225m of underground cables will be installed replacing the nine overhead services with significant disruption for a number of weeks.

Electricity North West will notify all residents of Tockholes regarding the outcome of the consultation before we progress.