Royal Parks staff have been instructed not to place deckchairs under trees over concerns that branches could fall during hot weather, as the UK prepares for its fourth heatwave of the year. The charity, which manages eight public green spaces in London including Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, said the measure is an “additional precaution” during the prolonged dry and hot conditions.
Precautionary Measure Amid Dry Weather
A spokesperson for Royal Parks said: “We are fully aware of ‘summer branch drop’, when trees can shed branches due to stress from prolonged dry, hot weather, particularly when periods of heat are interspersed with heavy rain. Managing a landscape with tens of thousands of trees is complex. While it is never possible to eliminate risk entirely, we take active measures to reduce it as far as possible.”
The organisation oversees parks including Richmond Park, Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens. It added that its arboricultural teams conduct regular inspections, especially in high-footfall areas and during extreme weather. “Where any risk is identified, we undertake essential tree maintenance, and as an additional precaution, we have instructed our deckchair concessionaires not to place deckchairs directly beneath tree canopies.”
Health Alert and Record July Temperatures
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London, valid from Tuesday to Thursday. The agency warned that rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. Provisional Met Office data shows July has been 3°C above average across the UK so far, potentially ranking among the hottest three or four Julys on record.
Elsewhere in London, firefighters tackled three separate grass fires on Monday, damaging four hectares of land. Assistant Commissioner of London Fire Brigade Pam Oparaocha said: “While we are fully prepared to respond, we need everyone to play their part in helping to prevent incidents. Wildfires in particular can spread rapidly, require significant resources and have devastating consequences for people, properties, wildlife and the environment. Wildfires can also have a lasting impact on the health of Londoners because of the smoke plumes that they produce.” She advised people not to take disposable barbecues to parks and open spaces.
The Met Office assessment warns that wildfires could be exceptionally severe by Wednesday if they start in parts of London, the South East and eastern England, due to the hot, dry conditions.
