Residents stumped after BEAR wrongly ripped out a hedge
Residents are now totally exposed to traffic on the very busy road after BEAR ripped out the hedge Carse of Gowrie residents have been left raging - after BEAR Scotland ripped out the hedge separating their homes and the A90 after a routine call-out.
BEAR Scotland, who manage and maintain trunk roads in the north east on behalf of Transport Scotland, was called to trim a tree overhanging a house in Glendoick.
But, they hauled out an entire hedge - including trees in a private garden - leaving residents exposed to 70mph traffic less than 10 metres from their homes.
Adele Melville, who made the initial call, told the PA: “There were huge trees growing which was hanging over our house, and we’d been at BEAR to remove the top for three or four years to have the top cut off.
“If it had fallen, it would have landed on our house and our three-year-old sleeps in the front room. We’ve lived here for four years and we’ve been trying to get this done since we moved.
“They’ve admitted they made a mistake, but we’ve been sent from pillar to post when we complained.
“They’ve come in and put three-foot trees in place which will obviously take a while to grow. They’d be knocked down if a cyclist hit them.
“It’s basically been levelled and there’s no sound barrier. “For me, we should have a traffic barrier anyway. “I’ve emailed Transport Scotland about this, and especially in this weather, I’d like to have a brick wall at least - everyone saw what happened at Errol before Christmas.”
Neighbour Grant Simmons said: “It was early February when they came out. My neighbour had asked for the trees to be trimmed slightly and they proceeded to remove the entire hedge.
“We had a meeting with them on site and they held their hands up and said they’d rectify their mistake. They planted 10 trees and 10 shrubs which are slower growing.
“It’s absolutely pathetic. We have basically no privacy, no noise reduction and we’re totally in the open. There is no safety barrier. They went into my garden and removed trees that weren’t even theirs.
“The crew were only following instructions, but we’ve been trying to get this done for years .
Carse of Gowrie Councillor Angus Forbes said: “I was delighted that BEAR Scotland immediately accepted their role in this error but disappointed that the trees are not really suitable to provide screening.
“However, the solution does not address the issue of safety and only extending the safety barrier to cover their property will be sufficient.
“I have written a formal letter to BEAR Scotland asking them to extend the safety barrier to include my constituents houses as a matter of urgency.”
A spokesperson for BEAR Scotland said: “Our landscaping teams recently completed some clearance works after safety concerns were raised by a local resident, however some trees adjacent to the trunk road were also removed in error. We have carried out replanting works after discussing the matter with the affected resident, and will continue to liaise with them until the issue is fully resolved.”