A huge tree that had been reported as potentially dangerous several months ago came crashing down during a storm.

The state of the horse chestnut tree, in Green Lane, Oxhey Hall, sparked concern among those who used the road as they felt it had the potential to collapse at any moment.

It was reported by Cllrs Andrew and Alison Scarth to Hertfordshire County Council on 26 July 2017, after they had been alerted to its condition by Vanisha Bhimjiyani.

They said: “This large Horse chestnut tree is dead and could be a serious hazard to pedestrians and cars as branches start to shed. Please inspect and decide what should be done about it.”

The council replied two days later claiming to have assessed the area and concluded that it was in fact safe. It added that the tree would be examined by a further specialist as part of its maintenance programme.

But as Storm Eleanor battered the UK, it came down and blocked off Green Lane near its junction with Anthony Close.

Cllr Scarth said: “If it had happened later on the first day back to school, who knows what may have happened?

“This is a busy road and we all feel very concerned that, five months on, this dead tree was still standing until the high winds blew it down. Why was it not cut down much earlier?”

He added that he was very impressed with the clearing up procedure carried out by Turneys of Hertford, who were appointed by maintenance company Ringway to deal with the situation.

But this, he noted, does not excuse the fact that it was deemed safe, and left accordingly, when a number of residents had voices their concerns about its condition.

Kevin Carrol, Ringway divisional manager working on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We were aware of local concerns with the Oak Tree that has fallen into Green Lane.

“However, following an inspection by our tree specialist earlier this year it was not deemed to be dead or dangerous.

“Further investigation at the time also found that the tree was on private property and therefore not the responsibility of the county council.”

But Mrs Bhimjiyani, who noted how it was “bound to happen” sooner or later, criticised authorities for what she sees as inadequate action and response.

She said: “This tree was clearly dead and there were branches falling from it. I’m not sure how they could deem it safe and there was no way of me following up the report.

“There was no way of me knowing who had come to inspect it, or whether anyone even did come.

“Now it’s been brought down by a storm but the council should have been proactive as opposed to reactive.”