Electricity Northwest want to cut my trees

[DaveyH]

Evening All,

 

I had a visit today an Electricity Northwest Surveyor wanted to cut back 3 of my trees that are touching the LV cables suppling my neighbours. The cable runs over my land but according to their plans doesn't so there is no wayleave in place or I don't think there is.

The trees give good sound insulation from the M6 over the other side of the field and give a stunning back drop to the garden. He said he would only have them cut from  the back to maintain the appearance from the front but my worry is that this would unbalance the tree? especially as it is close to a ditch.

I guess I need to get this job done but some of the stories I have heard about Utility companies lopping trees worry me. 

Am I within my rights to get it done myself and then invoice them?

If they must do the work - what can and should I insist on? (from aesthetics to removal of branches?)

[Everishgreen]

Will add was involved in utility arb for while years past and was horrified at some things I saw and actually did. Proximity distances vary as said, but sub contractors open them up to their own interpretation. If I were you I would get a land agent to get involved. There fees will be payed by network and you can instruct them accordingly. 

   Please remember we live in a world we're not every gives a monkey about anyone else or respects others wishes. 

   In 12 years of land ownership I have had 4 instances of tree works with out permission, 2 of these surveyor put down to be neighbours land. 2 cases of sub contractor accessing land with out gaining permission and getting vehicles bogged. Then wasted an hour with muppet from tree company explain only tracked chipper to travel past point x, to see chipper taken on trailer, and when challenged operator said was OK as he had done a risk assessment. Linemanager not interested. So hence my alternative stance to be rather stern with them

[Baldbloke]

We have poles and stays through our fields and back garden that serve us and the neighbourhood. When we moved in 14 years ago I got a wayleave payment set up as well as annual compensation (that they insisted on paying) for a considerable time prior to us owning the place.

I have since personally (without employing nob end land agents) put in a request over an option for a one off payment where they could own the ground the poles sit on and to grant them the airspace for the wires. They offered around 17k which I won’t be accepting but will be mentioned to prospective purchasers when this place becomes too much maintenance for me.

I’ve never had issues with the contractors who trim up our hedgerows and trees to give the lines clearance as they always discuss their plans with me before proceeding. I believe that a good working relationship from both sides is the way to go and allows better respect towards a landowner’s trees and property.[emoji1303]

[Marksquirrell]

Not all utility arbs wear spikes attached to their boots.

Most contracts get audited far more than any work a domestic Arb might get.

I would like to hazard a guess most people appreciate their electricity.

It annoys me that people moan about poles ruining their view and insisting on restricted cuts. E.g 1m on conifer, it will be back in the lines in less than a year. On a 5 year contract that means going back 5 times and only getting paid once and causing the customer 5 lots of disruption. How many domestic arbs would do this for Mrs Smith and her hedge?

The electricity lines on your land might be feeding 100’s if not thousands of people. If a tree was to fail or grow too close because someone didn’t want it cutting it’s not just you who’s affected.

Normally when attending said emergency works the difficult customer is normally the first to say do whatever is required to get the power back on as my Sunday dinner is in the oven.

[devon TWiG]

53 minutes ago, Marksquirrell said:

Not all utility arbs wear spikes attached to their boots.

Most contracts get audited far more than any work a domestic Arb might get.

I would like to hazard a guess most people appreciate their electricity.

It annoys me that people moan about poles ruining their view and insisting on restricted cuts. E.g 1m on conifer, it will be back in the lines in less than a year. On a 5 year contract that means going back 5 times and only getting paid once and causing the customer 5 lots of disruption. How many domestic arbs would do this for Mrs Smith and her hedge?

The electricity lines on your land might be feeding 100’s if not thousands of people. If a tree was to fail or grow too close because someone didn’t want it cutting it’s not just you who’s affected.

Normally when attending said emergency works the difficult customer is normally the first to say do whatever is required to get the power back on as my Sunday dinner is in the oven.

well said ..so many bleat about terrible contractors but there are plenty of just bloody awkward customers !!!

[Marc Lewis]

My supply comes to my house via two neighbours gardens one has requested removal of the supply it’s going to cost uk power networks over 40k to reroute less than 50 metres of supply and they can’t say no

And you know who pays that in the long run??

[dumper]

53 minutes ago, Marc Lewis said:

On 18/06/2021 at 20:08, dumper said:

My supply comes to my house via two neighbours gardens one has requested removal of the supply it’s going to cost uk power networks over 40k to reroute less than 50 metres of supply and they can’t say no

And you know who pays that in the long run??

I work for the gas distributors on mains I know why your gas bill is steep I can’t think electricity is any different

[topchippyles]

3 minutes ago, dumper said:

I work for the gas distributors on mains I know why your gas bill is steep I can’t think electricity is any different

My mate swaps his meter all the time for his spare one. Be to afraid to myself 

[dumper]

Far better to tap in before meter less chance of being caught, dug through a private supply rigged of a lamppost last yr must have been there for years 

[topchippyles]

6 minutes ago, dumper said:

Far better to tap in before meter less chance of being caught, dug through a private supply rigged of a lamppost last yr must have been there for years 

 Council estate not far from me and loads have spare gas meters and swap them around.