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Blocked path due to fallen tree

Reported via desktop in the Fallen/ Dead Tree (NH) category anonymously at 15:29, Wed 10 September 2025

Sent to National Highways less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 8147908.

In mid-August, a large tree branch fell on the pathway leading past the Falmer Station bus stop, towards Southern Water site. We thought that the responsibility of the are was under Brighton & Hove City Council, but due to an immediate health and safety risk, our University of Sussex grounds team removed the branch

Southern Water subsequently raised concerns about the remainder of the tree, and the path has since been blocked off. Unfortunately, this has left the area looking unsightly and inaccessible. With new student arrivals beginning on Friday 19th September, it is critical that this pathway is reinstated as soon as possible and that the tree is made safe.

Please could you prioritise this matter urgently and advise on the next steps? Both Sussex Estates and Facilities, and Southern Water have previously attempted to raise this issue to the B&HCC, but the council has come back to us stating it is the National Highways responsibility.

What3words location: https://what3words.com/ forest.boats.swift

Updates

  • Thank you for your report. Following a previous report regarding a fallen branch, our team attended the site. It is understood that the University or a third party had already addressed the issue at that time. Following this report, our team attended the site on 17 September 2025,. We observed that the tree in question does overhang onto National Highways land. However, there are currently no evident safety concerns. Any further action or formal environmental assessment of the tree’s health by a qualified specialist, including any decisions regarding the reopening of pathways alongside the University campus would need to be arranged and undertaken by the University and the local council. Please note that the tree in question is not actually located on National Highways land. It sits within the University of Sussex campus (what3words: lost.curving.sorry) and falls under land title ESX309641, which confirms the land is under the jurisdiction of Brighton and Hove / University of Sussex. Kind regards, National Highways

    State changed to: Closed

    Posted by National Highways at 11:09, Thu 18 September 2025

This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.