Screen pest... trees have blanked out TV signal for 25 years
PENSIONERS blighted by tall trees behind their homes for more than 25 years say they have not been able to watch TV properly since 1995.
More than 20 residents in Marlborough Crescent, Stapenhill, say the trees were planted by developers decades ago and are so tall, they are blocking their TV signal.
Roy and Sonia Hickman moved to the street 50 years ago and say they often get a blank picture on their screen.
Mrs Hickman, 80, said: “When we moved in there were no trees at all, just a field full of cows. But when the developments went up on Brizlincote Valley, they were put there so we couldn’t see through the new houses.
“That was more than 25 years ago and we have had no end of problems since. “The television is unwatchable. It freezes, the volume goes and sometimes the picture goes completely blank.
“We know it is down to the trees and it is affecting so many people. The trees are getting higher and nobody is getting any signal. It is terrible.”
Mr Hickman, 78, said the problem has gradually got worse and residents have been seeking help, but to no avail. He said: “About two years ago we had councillors from Brizlincote Valley come to see us and they said they would take the matter to the town hall.
“We’ve also had people from Sky come out because we are still paying a £60 bill every month.
“They have been out two or three times now and they can’t ever get a signal. They say they can’t do anything but it’s not really their fault.
“There are so many elderly residents on this street and the TV is all some of them have got. When we have our grandchildren round they can’t even sit and watch the TV. We have to do something.”
Now their daughter Karen is so fed up of the ongoing problem that she has contacted Burton MP Andrew Griffiths and has drawn up a list of more than 20 residents who are having the same issue.
Among them is Colin Dent, 80, who said: “When there is no television, there is no life. It is hopeless.
“The trees have cut our picture off and we are paying for nothing. Me and my wife are watching the soaps and then it goes off – no satellite signal whatsoever. I can’t even have a small bet on the racing.
“We came here in 1995 and we started noticing problems not long after we moved in.
“We had a man from Burton Aerials come out and he told us that in seven years’ time we won’t get anything whatsoever, so we have done well I suppose.
“This problem is occurring every day. It is constant and I am tired of hearing that there is nothing anyone can do.”
Mr Dent says it sometimes seems like the trees are “closing in” because of their size and he is even considering moving house. He said: “I am not looking to sell my house but I shall have to if this carries on.
“You can actually tell when the rain is coming before it is here. The signal gets so bad there is no screen at all.
“I reckon if 10ft was lopped off those trees it would give us another 10 years. I think they must be about 100ft tall. The most infuriating thing is that the trees have never been cut or tended to.
“Nothing is being done to try and solve the problem, yet we are all paying our TV licence and sitting in silence.”
Neighbour Heather Sharratt said: “I have been here 22 years and it is unbelievable the problems we have had.
“It has been awful. It is so dark in my room I put the lights on at three in the afternoon and the picture on the television goes altogether when it rains. My husband is in a care home and the TV is the only company I have got. I don’t want to pay out for Sky. I don’t really want it but sometimes it is the only thing that works. I think I am with the other residents when I say we just don’t know what to do.”
A spokesman for East Staffordshire Borough Council, said: “Whilst the council has sympathy for the residents’ position, the trees in question were planted by the developer of the estate and not the council. Reducing the height of the trees would be an expensive undertaking and would only provide the very briefest of improvements to the satellite signal before the trees regrew.
“Complete removal of the trees would destroy a natural habitat for wildlife and such a move is likely to generate opposition from other residents.
“At present none of the tree stock is considered to be dead, diseased, dying or dangerous. Officers will continue to inspect the site and will take any appropriate action should any of these conditions occur.”