Response details:

Dear Cllr Stephanos Ioannou,

Thank you for bringing the resident’s concerns to our attention.

The area supervisor has advised that this location is scheduled to be included in the shrub maintenance programme during the week commencing 24 August. A team will be attending the area during that week and will address the overgrown vegetation affecting the pavement to improve access for pedestrians.

The tree team has carried out a site inspection and did not identify a wasp nest within the tree on The Rye. The team has advised that the sticky residue present on the pavement and road is honeydew, a natural substance produced by aphids feeding on the leaves of the lime tree. Wasps are attracted to this substance, which can result in increased wasp activity around the tree during the warmer months. This is a seasonal and natural occurrence and is not something that the Council is able to control.

Residents are advised to take care when passing through the area and avoid lingering in locations where there are high numbers of wasps present.

We hope this has addressed the issues above.

Kind regards,
Urban Greenspace Service Support Officer