Residents have blasted Three Rivers District Council and Hertfordshire Highways after a fallen tree caused chaos in a road in Nash Mills.

Yesterday afternoon, heavy winds caused a large tree in Hyde Lane to fall from the embankment, blocking the path of motorists.

But resident Bart Bonito claims the council and Hertfordshire Highways is at fault for failing to maintain the trees and residential road.

Mr Bonito, whose home is next to where the tree fell, said: “We pay our taxes, just like everyone else, yet nothing is ever done for the upkeep of this road.

“Cars come racing up here as do lorries - weighing over the restricted three tonnes.

“This is supposed to be a quiet country lane, but with all the traffic, you often see vehicles driving up the side of the embankment to let other traffic pass.

“Because of this the trees have been clipped and moved, making them dangerous and unstable.”

According to Mr Bonito residents have complained to Three Rivers District Council and Hertfordshire Highways about the amount and speed of traffic passing through the lane on numerous occasions.

He said they have also voiced concerns about the safety of the trees lining the embankment.

The 49-year-old said: “We asked them to come and cut back the trees, but all they’ve done is lopped a bit off here and there. They’ve done half a job, by no means are the trees safe.

“We’ve asked for speed bumps to slow traffic, a kerb for pedestrians, or to find a way to ensure that lorries don’t drive up this road – but again this has been ignored.

“The other trees are feeling the full impact of the wind – I wouldn’t be surprised if another fell and seriously hurt someone, it’s negligent.

“Are they waiting for someone to be killed on this road before they act?”

A cordon sign was put in place yesterday afternoon preventing motorists from driving along Hyde Lane, but residents became so incensed at waiting for the tree to be removed by the council, they began hacking away at it themselves.

Mr Bonito added: “Someone from the council popped along, looked at the tree and said they had to fill out a procedure form. They then said we could be waiting up to a further two hours for it to be moved.

“It’s nonsense – why could they not have cleared the road while they were here?”

According to Three Rivers District Councillor Helen Lehrle, who lives in the road, council workers have since taken the tree away.

The Liberal Democrat representative said: “Residents had begun cutting down the tree, they are a very proactive bunch.

“It is down to Hertfordshire Highways to maintain the trees and as far as we are aware, we’re on a list.

“Unfortunately, in terms of the district, it’s not a priority.

“Some of the trees have preservation orders so they can’t just be hacked down.

“As for speeding cars and lorries using the lane, it’s difficult to police, how can it be monitored?”

Jo Brown, spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Highways, said the matter regarding the trees is being investigated.

But commenting on the implementation of speed restrictions, Hertfordshire Highways spokesman Andrew Dawson said: "Hyde Lane is 30 miles per hour single track road without a history of accidents.

"As such, it does not fit the criteria for speed restrictions.

"The trees were inspected last October and some thorn bushes were removed.

"There was nothing to suggest that the area was dangerous or required urgent attention.

There is no evidence to suggest that tree roots have been weakened by vehicle movement, more likely the tree fell due to high winds."