The hidden and expensive obstacle blocking new trees being planted in Bristol streets

A dense underground network of cables and pipes runs just underneath the roads and pavements

A hidden maze of pipes and cables underneath pavements and roads in Bristol is blocking new trees from being planted. Despite wide support from locals in several neighbourhoods, underground utilities prevent new street trees in many areas.

Pipes carrying gas and water and cables supplying electricity and broadband form a dense underground network across the city. This reason was given by Bristol City Council bosses why more trees cannot be planted in various streets.

The council has an overarching goal of planting many more trees in Bristol, to help absorb carbon emissions and provide shade during heatwaves. Councillors on the environment policy committee were updated on the tree strategy on Thursday, September 26.

Richard Ennion, parks development manager, said: “There is a miasma of utilities beneath our feet, and you occasionally see that when the road gets dug up and you look down and think good grief, there’s so many pipes. They’re everywhere.

“There’s rules around what a reasonable distance trees should be from them, to ensure safety when digging holes and so the trees don’t damage the infrastructure. There probably should be a national conversation about how tolerance is acceptable, to green our streets more than we are able to do at the moment.”

One example given was Exeter Road in Southville, which runs off North Street. Green Councillor Christine Townsend submitted a written question asking why trees couldn’t be planted on the roads, despite the support of local residents.

The answer was that tree pits on Exeter Road would have to be installed, too close to the “extensive” network of utilities underneath the street. One issue with tree planters meanwhile would be the short lifespan of the trees, which is only expected to be a decade.

Mr Ennion added: “We do have conversations with utility providers about specific schemes. We’ve had less conversations about what it looks like if we rethink this. Utility providers [should] recognise they have a role to play in protecting trees but also greening the city. When you speak to individuals, they get that, but they are somewhat constrained by the rules of assets.

“When you start moving utilities, it does get awfully expensive. This is where the reality of benefit versus cost starts to become quite squeaky.”