Swindon Town Centre Tree Collapses, Damages Pavement

A substantial tree, which had been a prominent feature in a town centre for sixty years, fell during the night, tearing up the pavement and leaving a cavity in the ground. The Indian Bean tree, also known as Catalpa, situated outside Costa Coffee on The Parade in Swindon, Wiltshire, gave way under its own mass at approximately 04:00 GMT on Monday. Swindon Borough Council announced earlier via Facebook that its team of tree surgeons was securing the site and disassembling the fallen tree’s remnants, which are slated for recycling. A spokesperson further stated that the concrete foundation where the tree was rooted will require extensive repairs, along with an adjacent streetlight that sustained damage during the incident. The tree was initially planted in the shopping centre over six decades ago, but had been growing at a 45° angle for many years. Swindon Borough Council suggests this angle may have contributed to its collapse. They added that despite the presence of other trees in the vicinity, there are “no concerns” regarding any additional incidents. The Parade remained open to the public as tree surgeons proceeded with the removal of the fallen tree. A protective barrier has since been established around the base of the collapsed tree to safeguard the public from the concrete void it created. The authority indicated that the tree will be replaced in the future, though the exact timing and the species to be planted in its place are currently undetermined. A spokesperson confirmed they are presently “considering the options”. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.