By Safety fears after Watford park hit by storms
Watford residents are being told to visit the town’s biggest park ‘only if you have to’ as emergency tree works are underway.
Cassiobury Park reopened yesterday (Friday) after being closed on Thursday due to “safety hazards” caused by storms.
Entrances were sealed off “to keep visitors safe from falling trees and debris” damaged by wind, the council said.
In its latest update the council said: “We are still working on the damage caused to trees in Cassiobury Park by Wednesday’s storm.
“While the Park is not now closed, we would encourage you to visit only if you have to as emergency tree works are still underway and we have had to close paths and limit access in these areas to ensure people’s safety, which is our top priority.”
Councillor Karen Collett, Deputy Mayor of Watford, said: “A number of trees in the park were badly damaged by the storm earlier in the week and we have had to work quickly to make the park safe.
“The good news is that Cassiobury can reopen but there is still emergency work we need to do on some of the fallen trees and branches.
“We would ask people to stay safe and follow the signage to avoid areas that are taped off for the public’s safety.”
She added: “Whilst we all feel the loss of so many trees, we are delighted that the park’s ‘Lion King tree’, which is such a well-loved Watford landmark, appears to have been spared from any storm damage.”
In a statement on its website the council said every year about six people in the UK were killed by falling trees or branches.
If you see a tree down because of high winds and it seems like an emergency, contact Watford Council‘s call centre on 01923 226400.
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