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Tree and overhead cables. company refuse to cut back
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I have a large willow tree that has grown way up around the overhead electricity cables. Southern electric have trimmed it back in the past but now they refuse as they say trees are no longer their responsibility.
Checked with my insurance company, they only cover damage to my property, not power lines or neighbours property.
Does anyone have any experience of this ?
Any advice ?
Can the company just change their responsibility without telling us ?
Can I get them to remove the cable ?
I imagine this will cost a fortune
Checked with my insurance company, they only cover damage to my property, not power lines or neighbours property.
Does anyone have any experience of this ?
Any advice ?
Can the company just change their responsibility without telling us ?
Can I get them to remove the cable ?
I imagine this will cost a fortune

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Comments
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who's tree is it, and not likely to move cables with out chargeI am responsible me, myself and I alone I am not the keeper others thoughts and words.0
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I have a large willow treeIT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.
4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).0 -
I have a large willow tree that has grown way up around the overhead electricity cables. Southern electric have trimmed it back in the past but now they refuse as they say trees are no longer their responsibility.
Do you know what voltage it is and whether or not the cable is insulated? If you do not know ask Southern Electric to inform you in writing.0 -
I know it's double insulated as the neighbours had that issue when they built an extension.
2 years ago when I got on to them to request a trim, they put it off by saying the tree wasn't high enough. Surely they should have to inform us when they change the rules0 -
I've been able to find info on tree trimming on other distribution companies websites (Western Power Distribution and UK Power Networks) so I'm surprised SSE don't offer this service as well. Have you tried contacting their complaints department?
http://www.ssepd.co.uk/Complaints/0 -
It's not their tree - it's yours. So I imagine they have no obligation to cut/trim it unless it is causing them a problem. I'm sure you could ask them to switch off the power while you get a private tree surgeon in to do the work - however I am unsure if they'd charge for this, as it would probably affect more than just you if they had to switch off the supply.0
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I have a large willow tree that has grown way up around the overhead electricity cables. Southern electric have trimmed it back in the past but now they refuse as they say trees are no longer their responsibility.
Checked with my insurance company, they only cover damage to my property, not power lines or neighbours property.
Does anyone have any experience of this ?
Any advice ?
Can the company just change their responsibility without telling us ?
Can I get them to remove the cable ?
I imagine this will cost a fortune
Not exactly the same problem but this may be of interest. Neighbours of ours had a large tree and the branches were affecting the BT phone line. They fixed the problem the first time but said that if it occured again they would be responsible for any costs to repair the line. They subsequently got someone in to cut the tree down.Lost my soulmate so life is empty.
I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander0 -
http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf/the-law-on-trees-153989.pdf
just read this it would appear that if they so wish they can do it but could bill you for it as the tree is your responsibility or of course you could take ownership of the problem and deal with it.
and here http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/I_Laws.htm
All the distributors are currently in talks with ofgem for their price controls that come into effect in 2013 which is basically wanting to do more for less so sse are bound to be looking at every penny they spend and where to cut (excuse pun)I am responsible me, myself and I alone I am not the keeper others thoughts and words.0 -
Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having these problems. I would be happy to get someone from our distribution business to contact you to discuss all your options. If you would like me to do this please email me your details to the address posted on our profile page.
Thanks, Holly“Official Company Representative
I am the official company representative of SSE. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"0 -
I have a large willow tree that has grown way up around the overhead electricity cables. Southern electric have trimmed it back in the past but now they refuse as they say trees are no longer their responsibility.
Checked with my insurance company, they only cover damage to my property, not power lines or neighbours property.
Does anyone have any experience of this ?
Any advice ?
Can the company just change their responsibility without telling us ?
Can I get them to remove the cable ?
I imagine this will cost a fortune
Did you get a reply from the sse rep?0
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