Residents' swift response after high winds caused by Storm Chandra blow tree into Burnley's Red Lees Road
Neighbours sprang into action when high winds, caused by Storm Chandra, blew a huge tree into a busy main road in Burnley this morning.
The tree was felled just after 8am in Red Lees Road in Cliviger, close to the junction with Dyneley Avenue.
Cliviger resident and ward councillor Ivor Emo arrived on the scene and used his car as a safety barrier while he sawed into the main trunk of the tree, assisted by neighbours who removed the off cuts and swept the road. Workers from Burnley Council and Lancashire County Council were also on the scene within minutes.
Resident Allen Ryecroft, whose CCTV cameras captured the tree falling, said: “Luckily there was a lull in the traffic when the tree fell otherwise there could have a serious collision. Everyone was soaked to the skin, but we got the job done and, fair play to Ivor and also the authorities, who were on the scene very quickly also.”
Mr Ryecroft added he was shocked at the number of cars and vehicles ‘flying past’ as the residents worked to clear the road, adding: “Considering the weather conditions it was appalling to see a number of cars driving in excess of 40mph as we worked in the road.”