Electricity North West is speaking with villagers ahead of 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 growing close to the overhead electricity lines and presents a major safety risk.

The firm, which operates the region’s power network, is consulting with residents on whether the tree should be felled or for the overhead lines to be removed and placed underground.

Tom Wooley, who is overseeing the project in Tockholes for Electricity North West, said: “The tree in the grounds of the church presents an unacceptable safety risk to the network and anyone who might climb the tree and get too close to the lines.

“We have to act now and that’s why we’re consulting with residents. The most straightforward solution is to remove the tree, but it is well established in the village and so we wanted to check the best approach with locals.

“Moving the network underground is costly and will be more disruptive to the village but it is an option that’s available.”

The consultation period, which started today after engineers’ hand delivered letters to residents, will last for two weeks.

Should residents choose for the tree to be removed, there will be a short power cut, so that 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.

For more information about Electricity North West, please visit www.enwl.co.uk.