Comedian Dom Joly has publicly criticized Gloucestershire County Council for what he calls “official flytipping” after barriers surrounding a tree stump in Cheltenham’s Clarence Square have remained in place for over two months, creating an unsightly and frustrating eyesore.
The barriers, erected by highways workers to cordon off the tree stump slated for removal, have lingered far longer than residents expected. Gloucestershire County Council explained that the delay is due to ongoing safety surveys to check for underground utility cables before the stump can be safely removed, and stressed that urgent safety work elsewhere takes precedence—meaning no removal date can yet be confirmed.
Expressing his frustration, Joly revealed he has repeatedly posted about the issue on social media, highlighting the council’s lack of action. “Still zero action from Gloucestershire County Council for this eyesore they left two months ago in Clarence Square – official fly tipping basically,” Joly wrote on Facebook. He added with dry humor that he even submitted the barriers for consideration in the Turner Prize, though they were rejected.
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The council reaffirmed that the barriers remain as a safety measure until the stump removal can proceed and acknowledged the delay but did not provide a timeline.
This incident echoes similar concerns raised earlier this year by Councillor Colin Hay regarding long-standing barriers around a tree stump on Tamar Road, which had become so permanent they appeared on Google Street View. County Council leaders had then promised to investigate, but evidently, issues persist.
Residents and local figures like Joly continue to call for clearer communication and swifter action to remove these unsightly barriers and restore the character of Cheltenham’s leafy neighborhoods.