Tree pAin is the root cAuse of TV trouble

A woman with a chronic pain condition is frustrated with Peterborough City Council for not trimming a large tree which she believes is stopping her from watching TV. Sue Wilson (46) spends a lot of time at her home in Horton Walk, Westwood, due to having fibromyalgia and functional movement disorder, so having a functional TV is of huge importance to her.

But despite having her aerial checked she said the council will not try the onepossible solution whichis left andtrim the tree next to her home.

Sue said: “The problem started as minorafewmonths ago and was random and a little bit annoying. Withthe disabilities I have I spend a lot of timewatchingTV, andwhenit does not work I panic.”

Sue moved into her home in 2013. Her TV sometimes works but suddenly it will go black or pixelate.

“Thecouncilsaid‘unfortunately we are not going to do anything if they are healthy trees’,” said Sue. “I said ‘do I nothavearighttowatchTV’?”

Sue said she was told she could trim the tree herself but does not have “hundreds of pounds.”

The council said it had not received a complaint but a spokeswoman said: “There is noright to goodreception and in many cases it is possible to resolve issues of tree related poor reception by finding an engineering solution.

“The council will only consider requests to prune trees to improve reception after all the following conditions have been met:

have been made to find an engineering solution to the problem and have not been successful.

The work required is consistent with good arboricultural practice and will not unduly affect the amenity or health of the tree.

The work required can beexecuted within current financial constraints.”

Sue Wilson next to the tree she wants to see cut because it is affecting her TV reception