The damage left behind by three major storms over the winter has forced West Lothian Council to pay thousands to private contractors to help with the clear up.
Scotland has been battered recently, with high winds from Storm Arwen in November, and recent storms Dudley and Eunice causing severe damage.
The council has faced a number of emergency tree enquiries caused by the recent storms which have overtaken the routine work schedule, while private contractors have earned £16,000 helping council staff clear fallen trees.
Andy Johnston, countryside manager, gave details of the work at meetings of the local area committees including Linlithgow, and Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley.
He said: “We have been dealing with the fallout from the three named storms.
“There have been a number of trees down in the ward,and across the council area.
“The arborist squad has been dealing with that.
“It has had an impact on general maintenance and I’m in the process of bringing in contractors to help move the backlog.”
On a brighter note he added: “We are due to go into summer hours in March and are looking to start the summer programme of grass cutting at the end of April.”
A spokesman for the council confirmed council arborists had been dealing with emergency tree enquiries, so were not able to undertake their normal routine enquiries which has resulted in a backlog of tree related works.
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