Advertisement

A large section of a tree on the corner of Lord Street and Lancaster Road in Preston came down just before 5pm yesterday evening.

The large branch hit the pavement and spread into part of Lord Street just after a huge downpour.

The branch came from a tree that is one of a row growing outside the Guild Hall in the centre of the city. Buses were seen having to swerve around the blockage across the pavement.

Alarming is the fact that UCLan graduation celebrations are currently underway in the building and crowds of people were gathering outside.

Luckily, the tree was on the edge of the complex, not one of the row directly outside the entrance. However, due to the fact that the large branch came down without warning checks should be made on the existing trees outside the Guild Hall to make sure they are safe and are no danger to citizens.

We have contacted the council but not received a reply so far.

Preston City Council workers were quickly on scene, hacksaws in hand, to remove the obstacle.

No one was hurt in the incident.