A rotting tree which crashed on to a delivery has been reported as being "unsafe" by neighbours prior to its collapse, it has emerged.

The tree, in Argyle Street, Norwich came crashing down on Tuesday on top of a DPD delivery van - blocking the road in the process.

There have been calls for the county council to act quicker and "take more responsibility" in getting potentially dangerous trees felled before they can cause any harm.

Norwich Evening News: The tree fell in Argyle Street, NR1, on October 24The tree fell in Argyle Street, NR1, on October 24 (Image: Paul Crawford)
Paul Crawford, who lives in Bracondale, was cycling back home when he saw the incident.

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The 64-year-old said: "It was about 2.30pm and it had just fallen by the looks of it.

"I spoke to one of the people who lived nearby who said that they'd reported the tree, on more than one occasion, because it was unsafe and in such a poor state.

"Due to the rain, the ground was soft and the tree was in an even worse condition, causing it to collapse.

Norwich Evening News: No one is believed to have been injured from the incidentNo one is believed to have been injured from the incident (Image: Paul Crawford)
"Thankfully, the driver of the van wasn't in there when the tree fell, but who knows what could've happened if they were.

"What's worse is that if me, or someone else, was either cycling or walking past when it happened things could've been a lot more serious."

Norfolk County Council, which is responsible for employing contractors to remove potentially dangerous foliage, have been contacted for comment.

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Mr Crawford added: "This should, at least, encourage the council to take more action in the future.

Norwich Evening News: The tree, pictured standing, was reported to Norfolk County Council, for being unsafe and in a poor stateThe tree, pictured standing, was reported to Norfolk County Council, for being unsafe and in a poor state (Image: Google Maps)
"Even if it's dealt with by a contractor, the council should take more responsibility in chasing them up to go out and sort the issue.

"At the end of the day, it will fall on them if someone gets injured by something like this, or worse.

"It seems like that in order for them to act on something like this, an incident needs to happen first, otherwise they won't do anything."