Toppled tree rips up shopping centre pavement

The compaction of the roots below the ground surface meant the mature tree was likely top-heavy

A large tree which has stood strong in a town centre for six decades has toppled overnight, ripping up the pavement and leaving a hole in the ground.

The Indian Bean tree, or Catalpa, outside Costa Coffee on The Parade in Swindon, Wiltshire, succumbed to its own weight at around 04:00 GMT on Monday.

Swindon Borough Council took to Facebook earlier to announce their team of tree surgeons were making the area safe and dismantling the remains, which will now be recycled.

A spokesperson added the concrete base the tree was set in will require extensive repairs, as well as a nearby streetlight which was damaged in the fall.

The tree had been growing at a strained angle for many years

The tree was planted in the shopping centre more than 60 years ago, but had been growing at a 45° angle for many years, which Swindon Borough Council say could have contributed to its fall.

They added that although there are other trees in the area, there are "no concerns" around any further incidents.

The Parade remained open while tree surgeons worked to remove the fallen tree.

The Catalpa will be replaced at some point, though council officials have not yet said with what

A perimeter has now been set up around the base of the fallen tree to protect the public from the concrete chasm left behind.

The authority say the tree will be replaced in future but it remains unclear when that will be, or which species will be planted in its place.

A spokesperson said they are currently "considering the options".

The cordoned area will remain in place until the concrete pavement is fixed