A once-popular park has grown wild after a tree fell during a storm and blocked its entrance – two years ago.

The trunk has lain across the gateway to the Gravesend plot after it was uprooted during Storm Dennis in February 2020.

The open space behind it is privately owned by Hyde Housing Association and has become heavily overgrown. The fence separating it from the street has fallen into disrepair.

Sharon Vasudaven, who lives opposite in Singlewell Road, remembers the day it came down. She said: "I heard it go and my sons and our neighbours started getting some branches out of the road but nothing has happened since.

"We are so used to it now. We do not get as many people down here as before."

Her husband Bhargawa Vasudaven added: "It is an eyesore more than anything. I do appreciate people are busy and have better things to do but it would be nice for the dog walkers if it was gone.

"The pathway is well used but it would be nice to have the tree removed."

The park was a popular spot for dog walkers and the entrance often used by people as a walk-through to the adjoining football pitches.

Some visitors have been spotted jumping or climbing over the tree to gain access but, as Jasmin Atwal explained, dogs cannot easily do this.

Jasmin – who lives in Broadwood, a cul-de-sac off the main road – said: "I used to walk my dog over there all the time but now we cannot access it so I have to go elsewhere.

"There are dog bins inside that are also not accessible any more."

Although a few people have called for the tree to be removed, some residents see it as a deterrent for anti-social behaviour.

The green space is still used by some as a small, narrow pathway has been created going around the blockade but one resident said it was not ideal or accessible for everyone.

Gerald Lord said: "It stops access to the park. It is OK for some pedestrians but wheelchair users and other people cannot really manage it.

"As a result, it has just deteriorated. I used to go over there at one time and my son would take his dog but now we have to go further afield."

A spokesman for Graveshaam Borough Council explained as it was on private land, it was down to the landowner to remove it.

Tony Morgan, Hyde’s head of housing said: "I can confirm that the tree is on our land. However, it does not appear that the fallen tree has been reported to us and this area does not get inspected as part of our regular inspections of the Southfields Estate. It is located in an area which is some distance away from the estate.

"I will now work with our teams to ensure that the tree is removed."