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A DISABLED woman has launched a campaign to remove a tree she says is ruining her life.

Mother-of-two Karen Waterfall (38), of Tintern Avenue, Whitefield, depends on her car but faces a daily struggle to get in and out of it because of rogue roots from a huge elm tree.

The tree is situated on the kerb and, no matter how Karen parks her car, it makes it difficult for her to open the door.

She has asked local councillors to help, and Bury Council bosses said they are looking into how the problem can be resolved.

But it won't be easy, as the tree's roots spread all the way into the road, so ripping it out might require a road closure. The roots are also believed to be close to a drain and a gas pipe.

Karen, who broke her neck three years ago when she tripped on a kerb, said: "If someone visits next door and they park outside that house, it leaves me with little space to park and when I open the door I have to try to get across the roots as my wheelchair can't get over them.

"This is a very dangerous manoeuvre for me and I have already fallen over twice. It leaves me really not wanting to go out because I know it is going to be such hard work.

"It stops me from being able to get out of my own home and could potentially destroy what is left of my life. Something needs to be done about this and very soon."

She added: "I cannot walk at all and I have an unstable fracture in my neck. I have been told I can have a disabled parking space outside my house but most of it is taken up by the tree's roots."

Unsworth Ward Councillors Beverly Sullivan and Sam Cohen said they will help liaise with Bury Council on Karen's behalf.

A Bury Council spokeswoman said: "We are currently assessing the proportions of the tree in its location with a view to removing it if it is confirmed that it is necessary."

8:00am Thursday 8th May 2008

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