Inadequate tree maintenance by local authorities is a critical issue. We focus on the tragic, preventable death of Chris Hall in 2020, killed by a decayed tree limb in Wilmslow. The responsible council, Cheshire East, was fined £500,000 for failing to have a formal maintenance strategy. Currently, regular tree inspection is voluntary, creating a legislative gap that puts the public at risk. We explore the campaign for Chris's Law, which seeks to mandate that councils register and regularly in...
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Inadequate tree maintenance by local authorities is a critical issue. We focus on the tragic, preventable death of Chris Hall in 2020, killed by a decayed tree limb in Wilmslow. The responsible council, Cheshire East, was fined £500,000 for failing to have a formal maintenance strategy. Currently, regular tree inspection is voluntary, creating a legislative gap that puts the public at risk. We explore the campaign for Chris's Law, which seeks to mandate that councils register and regularly in...
The Future of Freeview: Protecting UK Terrestrial TV in a Digital Age
The Bench Report
6 minutes
1 month ago
The Future of Freeview: Protecting UK Terrestrial TV in a Digital Age
This episode explores the hidden threat to digital terrestrial television (Freeview), a vital, free, and universal service for 98.5% of the UK. With licences expiring in 2034, there's a significant debate about switching off Freeview and transitioning to internet-only streaming. We discuss why this could severely impact vulnerable communities, including the elderly, those in rural areas, and low-income households, who rely on Freeview due to unreliable or unaffordable broadband. The episode a...
The Bench Report
Inadequate tree maintenance by local authorities is a critical issue. We focus on the tragic, preventable death of Chris Hall in 2020, killed by a decayed tree limb in Wilmslow. The responsible council, Cheshire East, was fined £500,000 for failing to have a formal maintenance strategy. Currently, regular tree inspection is voluntary, creating a legislative gap that puts the public at risk. We explore the campaign for Chris's Law, which seeks to mandate that councils register and regularly in...
