A MAN involved in a dispute with the Canal and River Trust (CRT) over a tree says it is damaging his property and decided to take matters into his own hands.

Bob Miley, whose house in Rudheath backs on to the Trent and Mersey Canal, said the dispute over the tree has been going on for the past three years.

61-year-old Mr Miley, who lives on Waterside View, says the tree, which has damaged his garden fence due to its continued growth, is on land owned by CRT, with the waterways charity saying it is not.

Northwich Guardian: The Canal and River Trust dispute Mr Miley's claim that the tree is on land the charity owns.

The Canal and River Trust dispute Mr Miley's claim that the tree is on land the charity owns.

"About three years ago, I complained about the tree as it was beginning to damage my fence," Mr Miley said.

"The CRT sent an arborist out to inspect it and he suggested that I just cut the over hanging branches and leave them by the canal.

"The tree has been growing for 30 years on the towpath, now CRT say I own the land and it's my tree, I clearly don't."

Mr Miley, who has lived in his home since it was built some 30 years ago, said he now had little option but to take matters into his own hands.

Northwich Guardian: The tree has grown over many years and is causing damage to Bob's property.

The tree has grown over many years and is causing damage to Bob's property.

He said: "During lockdown last year, I was obviously spending more time than normal in my garden and I noticed the roots coming up from the ground towards my house.

"So I felt I had no option but to complain about it again, but this has resulted in nothing more than a string of e-mails between myself and CRT.

"If I'd had known this was going to be such a problem, I would have chopped the tree down when I moved into my house 30 years ago.

"I'm willing to go to court over this matter now.

"I've even bought a chainsaw and once the branches that are over hanging into my garden have been cut down I will be placing them on to the towpath.

"The CRT are saying its not their land, but if it's not their's whose is it, because it definitely isn't mine.

"The whole thing has driven me mad, and I'm a very easy going person."

A spokesman for CRT said: "We appreciate this must be a frustrating situation for Mr Miley.

"However our estates team has confirmed that our charity only owns the land occupied by the canal towpath, not the area containing the tree next to Mr Miley’s fence.

"The Trust is not able to dispose of a tree that is not on our land.

"Mr Miley is perfectly within his rights to remove branches overhanging into his garden but we would ask him not to dispose of them on the towpath, where they may be a danger to passing members of the public."

Northwich Guardian: Bob Miley has chopped down the over hanging branches and dumped them by the towpath.

Bob Miley has chopped down the over hanging branches and dumped them by the towpath.