Hounslow Highways to work through the night following storm

Posted on: July 11, 2019 at 12:28 pm

Hounslow Highways crews will work through the night as the Emergency Response Unit continues to receive reports of fallen trees following the severe winds early today.

160 trees and large branches obstructing the highway have been reported and crews, including highways inspectors and community environment officers, have been making sites safe and prioritising the removal of fallen trees using specialised tree clearance equipment and operatives.

Crews have visited 116 of the reported sites and made them safe or cleared them. Crews will continue to work through the night to make the sites safe and assess and clear the remaining fallen trees.

An additional chainsaw crew and bow saw/wood chipping crew were brought in today as many of the fallen trees are too big to move as they are. It is expected that crews will complete the clean-up operation by the end of the week.

Hounslow Highways service director Rob Gillespie said: “Our Emergency Response Unit is expecting to receive more calls as the evening progresses and residents arrive home from work to find fallen trees or possible damage at their properties.

“We are continuing to manage the network for the benefit of residents and road users and are dealing with the urgent cases first. We would encourage the public to report any incidents or fallen trees to us via our website: www.hounslowhighways.org or by calling 0208 583 2000.”