Legal threat to campaigner
A retired engineer who spent his own cash to clean up his Washington neighbourhood has been threatened with legal action for breaching health and safety rules.
David Render, 54, restored a rusty sculpture, refurbished a dilapidated picnic table and led teams who collected mounds of rubbish and hacked back bramble bushes.
He was shocked to receive an e-mail from a Sunderland City Council official accusing him of “trespass, criminal damage and removal of property.”
The campaigner, who lives with his girlfriend in Lambton, said: “The last thing I expected to receive from the council was a threat of legal action. It’s madness.
“I was told I wasn’t doing suitable risk assessments before cutting down branches near the highway. The only risk assessment necessary was making sure the road was quiet and no cars were coming at the time.
In an e-mail to Mr Render, Mark Speed, head of Place Management at Sunderland City Council, said he had been contacted by people about posts on Facebook.
“I understand you believe you are in a position to carry out risk assessments and then cut down branches and trees which overhang highways,” he said.
“This is not acceptable as you are putting yourself and other members of the public in danger.
“I must insist you stop these activities now before someone gets hurt. If you continue, I will ask for investigations to commence and appropriate action will be taken.”
Coun Michael Mordey is the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for City Services: “The City Council welcomes and encourages members of the public to help keep their communities clean and tidy,” he said.
“Yet the council has concerns when some of Mr Render’s activities are endangering himself and other members of the public.
“The council has expressed these concerns to Mr Render and that he should refrain from some of his activity.”