A TREE on Sankey Valley Park ‘dead for some time’ has been chopped down.

Warrington Borough Council has responded after residents raised concerns over the work.

A spokesman said: “A large willow tree, which had been dead for some time, was felled on Sankey Valley Park.

“The tree was not subject to a tree preservation order and the works were undertaken to remove health and safety risks to the public.”

Under its powers, the authority can request for a tree to be cut or chopped down if it is dead, diseased, damaged or insecurely rooted and, as a result, is likely to cause danger.

Furthermore, where a hedge overhangs or obstructs a public right of way, it has a right to remove the overgrowth to prevent the obstruction to pedestrians and horse riders.