Road closed after pile of branches dumped
POLICE SEARCH FOR ROGUE GARDENER RESPONSIBLE
POLICE were forced to close a rural road in Leicestershire after a large pile of branches and tree trimmings was mysteriously dumped in the middle of the carriageway.
Charnwood Borough Council is appealing to the public for information about the rogue gardener, or gardeners, responsible for the flytipping incident.
It rendered Carr Lane, which joins Shepshed with the village of Belton, impassable to traffic and required police, Leicestershire County Council’s highways department and the council’s contractor to become involved in the interest of public safety.
The frustration produced by the incident for the public authorities was clear in a message and accompanying photograph shared with followers of the borough council’s official Twitter account.
The local authority would not say what type of tree was involved. However, it appears to have been some kind of large conifer or fern.
According to the council’s Twitter followers, it is most likely the remains of a Monkey puzzle tree, an evergreen tree which grows up to 40 metres tall.
The council tweeted: “Do you know someone who has had this type of tree cut down or trimmed last Thursday?
“This was dumped in the area around Carr Lane, Shepshed, early afternoon on Thursday, May 6, resulting in police closing the road.
“Highways clearing for safety and our waste contractor having to remove it.”
It is not known exactly how long the road was closed. However, the council is urging anyone with information that can help its investigation to get in touch.
The appeal continued: “If you know anything about it please call the contact centre.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the council on 01509 634564 or e-mail: