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Overgrown motorway trees blocking light and causing heavy debris

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Reported via mobile in the Overgrown or obscuring view (NH) category anonymously at 07:22, Mon 23 June 2025

Sent to National Highways less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 7747632.

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I live at 95 The Gossamers, Watford (WD25 9AN), directly backing onto the M1.

The trees along the motorway embankment are extremely tall and dense, blocking almost all natural sunlight from reaching my garden and rear windows. This is severely affecting my mental wellbeing and use of outdoor space.

In addition, the trees shed a significant amount of debris—leaves, needles, and branches—which constantly cover the patio, gutters, and windows. I have to clean repeatedly, but it’s becoming unmanageable.

I am kindly asking National Highways to assess whether these trees can be trimmed or reduced to allow some sunlight and reduce the mess and stress caused.

The issue has been ongoing for several years, but it’s worsened as the trees have grown taller and thicker.

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Although they came to cut the overgrown trees, they left a huge mess. All the cut branches are left hanging over my fence. I kept waiting for them to come back and clean up, but they never did. The branches are so heavy and tangled that I can't move them on my own.

Posted anonymously at 08:56, Wed 27 August 2025