Electricity Cable-overhanging branches.

stewie1098

I live in a house that is supplied with electricity via overhead cables. In my garden a tree has cracked and id overhanging the cables- just touching but the supply is un interrupted. If I cut the tree down it will fall on the cables. Can I ask them to cut down the overhanging braches or should I wait for it to fall and get them to reconnect. Manweb are are suppilers in N.Wales

John_Gray

You could ask the electricity company to cut down the overhanging branches, but I don't know whether they would respond positively to this. perhaps the safety aspect might encourage them? Ask nicely!

But I would be fairly certain that since it is your tree, then it is your responsibility to remove the safety hazard. If you deliberately cause the tree to fall down and break the electrical cables, then the electricity company may wish to recover any costs of reinstatement of the wiring (and perhaps any other associated damage in the substation and/or to nearby homes?) from you.

I may well be exaggerating somewhat here, but I would approach the matter with considerable caution -- from the safety aspect, if from no other!

John

gustav

You must UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES attempt to trim the tree yourself.
Your local electricity distribution company will do it for free. Their phone number will be on your phone bill. (if not phone manweb and ask for the distribution companies number)
I used to work for a distribution company, and they all have specialist teams who do this job everyday without killing themselves.