A resident has hit out at the council over a dangerous tree leaning perilously over a row of homes.

Residents say Southampton City Council has known about the overhanging tree on Arden Close - which is around 40 feet tall - for 13 years.

Some living in the area have said they have had "sleepless nights" over the issue.

Arden Close resident Tony Chan has accused the authority of dragging its feet with no date set for its removal.

He first contacted Southampton City Council in 2012 in the hope the oak tree, situated next to his house, could be felled.

The council made the decision in April 2024 that the tree needed to be removed, but nine months on, no date has been set for it to be felled.

Tony, 57, said: “In 2017 a branch fell from the tree and damaged my greenhouse. If the whole oak tree comes down, I dread to think what could happen.

“The cable for my phone line and internet runs alongside the house, if the tree falls down it could wipe my phone line out and cut off my communications.

“I not only worry for me but also pedestrians walking by, there are plenty of school children who walk down the road, and you don't want them to be injured by anything falling off the tree.

Edelvale Road in Bitterne, leaning towards people's homes on Arden Close (Image: Matt Davey) READ MORE: New attempt to run passenger trains on Totton-Hythe line

“I understand the highways agency needs to cordon the road off before the tree can be removed but I don't understand why it's taken so long. It's only a matter of time before it collapses."

Tony’s neighbour, Gary Romo, 71, echoed the same concerns – saying the issue has given him sleepless nights.

He said he was told by the council it was not deemed an emergency.

Gary said: “I'd like to know what the council constitutes as an emergency because they've been out here previously to take a look and have acknowledged the tree needs to be felled but because they don't consider it to be an emergency they won't give us a time frame.

“It could fall down at any point; it's given me sleepless nights as you don't want it to damage the house.

“We need a date from the council as to when they can remove the tree, we need something done before it's too late."

Cllr John Savage, cabinet member for green city and net zero, said: “The oak tree was inspected in April 2024 and a difficult and sad decision was taken to remove the tree for the safety of residents. 

“The work is currently with our Tree Surgery Team to be scheduled in the near future.”