Council clean-up planned after trees fall in Mere Knolls Cemetery during Storm Ciara winds

Sharp parts of the trunk were sticking out of the ground when a tree fell in high winds in Sunderland.
Photo: Barry Barraclough — Sharp parts of the trunk were sticking out of the ground when a tree fell in high winds in Sunderland. Photo: Barry Barraclough

On the afternoon of Monday, February 10, local resident Barry Barraclough noticed that two trees were laid on the ground at Mere Knolls Cemetery while walking his dog.

He said: “The wind was that strong you could hardly walk.”

The trees were broken at the lower of the trunk and sharp sections were sticking out the ground.

The council have begun a clean-up after the incident.
Photo: Barry Barraclough — The council have begun a clean-up after the incident. Photo: Barry Barraclough

Council workers have attended the scene and made the area safe and a full clean-up is set to take place in better conditions.

A Sunderland City Council spokesperson said: “Two Whitebeam trees have come down in Mere Knolls.

“The area has been made safe and the trees will be removed when ground conditions improve.

“Staff have also been clearing up this afternoon after a Poplar tree came down in Dovedale Road, Seaburn.”