CAMBRIDGE City Council is starting work on Monday 3 October, at Alexandra Gardens, to install a root barrier to help protect local properties from the risk of root growth damage arising from the nearby council-owned London Plane trees.

There will be a four-week road closure on Carlyle Road, in order for the root barrier installation to be carried out.

The council has been working with loss adjustors, Crawford & Co, and insurance company, Aegas, acting on behalf of a local household, who originally surveyed the area and notified the council that action was required to manage the risk of root damage to nearby property.

The original remedial solution put forward was to carry out pruning to a number of the London Plane trees in the area. However, with the support of local residents and the appointed loss adjustors and insurance company, this plan was reviewed and a viable alternative, involving the installation of a root barrier, was found.

A root barrier is an underground structure placed to block tree roots and is often used to protect structures and help to preserve soil moisture.

Cllr Alex Collis, Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Food Justice and Community Development, said: “We are happy to have reached a positive resolution – our council teams have worked hard alongside the loss adjustors, insurers and the community, especially local residents, to deliver a solution that would benefit everyone and the environment.

“The original decision to carry out pruning to the trees was not a decision that was made lightly – it took careful consideration and a deep analysis of what the implications of offering up different solutions would have.

“I am glad we have been able to find an alternative option.”