General Chat

Thought I'd just put up this thread, in case anyone wondered if I'd expired in frustration at problems with the site and to prevent anyone putting on a thread asking where I am. (see below)

As some of you may remember, we've had subsidence problems with walls of our house and garage during the past couple of years. The problems have been caused by tree roots from a large London Plane, owned by the local Council, in the grass verge in front of our house. For two years, our insurance company have been arguing with the Council, who of course have maintained all along that the subsidence is nothing to do with their tree. Extensive digging and investigation/analysis of roots found under our driveway and in the vicinity of our damaged walls have implicated that tree and shrubs in our neighbour's adjacent garden. He willingly removed those, but the problem persisted. The Council, in their infinite (but decidedly suspect) wisdom, decided to lop the tree and the next one along in the row, outside our neighbour's house, even though the investigating arboriculturalists recommended their removal. They removed 30% of the trees' crowns a couple of months ago. This has made no difference at all, as proven by extensive investigations of the foul water and rainwater drainage systems on our property yesterday. It was fascinating to see the pictures taken by the camera-on-a-cable that the engineer put through the drainage channels. It showed up every nook and cranny, and clearly showed many cracks in our foul water drain, as well as the presence of massive growth of tree roots, which have taken up around 50% of the space inside the pipe! As this is all on video, I've asked for a copy, so I can watch it when there's nothing on TV. It's got to be more interesting than Big Brother! We've had problems with blocked drains throughout the 7 years we've lived here, and so have our neighbours, yet the Council have consistently denied that their trees are responsible. (I am now an expert with drain-rods, but I just wish the manhole covers weren't so heavy to lift.) Our neighbours and we've had the water authority come and remove large balls of compacted roots from the drains in the road beside the tree (beyond our property's boundary, so not our responsibility), yet still the Council remained adamant that the trees had to stay, as they are 'a visual amenity'. Last week, I had an almost ecstatic phone call from our insurers to say that the Council had finally agreed to remove the tree outside our house in the next month or two! Bingo! At last the result we wanted. We were all for the 'visual amenity', but not at the cost of damage to our home. So now we will be in a position finally to finish decorating and carpeting our house (after 7 years of occupation!), but we are astounded at the shocking waste of public money and our time (not to mention our inconvenience and worry) by the Council. They've argued black is blue and now they've given in. I dread to think how the costs of this case alone have mounted up - and we're by no means alone. Many people we've spoken to about this are in the same situation. I think it's utterly pathetic that this sort of thing goes on, wasting time and taxpayers money. If that's what they spend ever-increasing Council tax on, they need a lesson in common sense and prudence! However, the GOOD news is that we have the builders coming in on Monday to start the repair work on our walls, and that's why I might not be about on here much - got to spend the weekend clearing their working space, then most of next week making tea! LoL Sorry to anyone who'll miss me, and to anyone who won't - make the most of it - I'll be back! CB >|< X

You can't leave me - they're all crazy people and I'm scared on my own!!!

CB....will miss you a lot, but am so happy that the problem is finally being sorted out. XXXX BC

I hope everything goes ok and you finally manage to enjoy your home. Susan

Wendy, I am here.....and I'm not crazy....tee hee BC

Blooming heck - it's started already - I'm being stalked by BC !! You might not be crazy BC but that strange red glow from your eyes is sure off-putting.

Hi CB I am so pleased that this has finally been sorted for you, You must be over the moon. Of course you will be missed by one and all, We always miss the good guys on here! Maz x ;o)

I will certainly miss you CB you know that, you are one highly intelligent lady and I love your threads and responses on my own and other peoples threads please dont be away to long. Dx

Glad to see that you at last can see light at the end of the [Drainage] tunnel lol and at last you can start sorting things out.your council sounds as good as ours .Fred.PyfT&A&G&G&S.

I am so glad that the `problem` has at last been resolved for you CB. Enjoy the next few weeks. We will all miss you. Love and Peace Marianne.xxxx

Things are happening at last - thank goodness! Thanks for telling us - stop me worrying! I'll email you sometime! :-) Joy

You'd better keep in touch with me you lovely lady! love becx

Maybe when you get down to your roots you may clear some of your blocks. Good luck - hope this sorts your problem.

CB....at last, so pleased this will get sorted now....see you soon. Wendy....I will protect you from Buttercup.....she's a pussy cat and very handy to have in a struggle!!!! Jacquie xxxx

Good luck with all the building work. I'm sure the final result will be worth the inconvenience! (Glad the council finally saw sense) Love Helen

CB i thought of you only yesterday,i was putting in some plants,anda lovely butterfly decided to say hello. good luck with the work...ive had my fill of it for months,but too long a story for here. see you soon. bryan.

CB So glad you are getting it sorted at last, but what a shame you had to do battle with the council. They sound like bully boys. Still one up for you. Good luck with the tea making. Pat

Hello CB. Glad everything is working out OK. While you,ve got the builders in have them check that the walls don,t need underpinning Best Wishes, Hal.

Hi CB - gawd girl you've been through it - so pleased things are looking up and that you can get your house back in order.Take care:o)) C u when you get back :o) jude sarf wales x