New Legislation for privately owned trees required for the safety of road users
The Issue
Advocating for new legislation surrounding privately owned trees– this should establish strict maintenance and management of trees within privately owned properties to ensure the safety of road users.
On Sunday, my husband, 6-year-old daughter and parents were driving in Wilmslow when a tree fell on their car. I am beyond grateful that that they all escaped physically unharmed but understandably the mental and emotional scars could linger for some time.
This frightening incident is my motivation to try action for the maintenance and management of trees on privately owned property.
I've done hours of research comparing rules in different countries specially linked to trees on privately owned land and found that in some countries there are:
• Rules regarding the setback distance of trees from roads
• Height restrictions in place for privately owned trees
• Homeowners/landowners held responsible should a tree fall onto a road or hurt/damage someone or something. *Personally, I look at this as a way of attempting to ensure trees don't fall so they aren't in a situation of having to take responsibility. TPOs would also need to be looked at here.
We are all well aware Sunday's incident could have destroyed our world and know that devastatingly, there are several people who have lost their lives to fallen trees. Our love goes out to all those who have suffered the loss of loved ones in this tragic manner.
My goal is to action from this terrifying experience - to raise the need for the strict maintenance and management of trees on private property to ensure the safety of road users. This is in no way me blaming the owners of the tree for this incident; this is me simply wanting to put in place preventive measures to reduce or even better, halt similar situations occurring in future. Not just in Wilmslow, but across our country. A car is replaceable; our families are not.
By supporting this petition, you are urging local authorities and beyond to take immediate action to protect road users by discussing, agreeing and implementing measures to ensure new legislation surrounding privately owned trees. With many trees falling during recent storms and more weather like this certain in the future, it is vital to address this issue as a matter of urgency.
Thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully support.
Ri x
221
The Issue
Advocating for new legislation surrounding privately owned trees– this should establish strict maintenance and management of trees within privately owned properties to ensure the safety of road users.
On Sunday, my husband, 6-year-old daughter and parents were driving in Wilmslow when a tree fell on their car. I am beyond grateful that that they all escaped physically unharmed but understandably the mental and emotional scars could linger for some time.
This frightening incident is my motivation to try action for the maintenance and management of trees on privately owned property.
I've done hours of research comparing rules in different countries specially linked to trees on privately owned land and found that in some countries there are:
• Rules regarding the setback distance of trees from roads
• Height restrictions in place for privately owned trees
• Homeowners/landowners held responsible should a tree fall onto a road or hurt/damage someone or something. *Personally, I look at this as a way of attempting to ensure trees don't fall so they aren't in a situation of having to take responsibility. TPOs would also need to be looked at here.
We are all well aware Sunday's incident could have destroyed our world and know that devastatingly, there are several people who have lost their lives to fallen trees. Our love goes out to all those who have suffered the loss of loved ones in this tragic manner.
My goal is to action from this terrifying experience - to raise the need for the strict maintenance and management of trees on private property to ensure the safety of road users. This is in no way me blaming the owners of the tree for this incident; this is me simply wanting to put in place preventive measures to reduce or even better, halt similar situations occurring in future. Not just in Wilmslow, but across our country. A car is replaceable; our families are not.
By supporting this petition, you are urging local authorities and beyond to take immediate action to protect road users by discussing, agreeing and implementing measures to ensure new legislation surrounding privately owned trees. With many trees falling during recent storms and more weather like this certain in the future, it is vital to address this issue as a matter of urgency.
Thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully support.
Ri x
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Petition created on 28 October 2026