A PETITION has been launched by residents claiming trees are blocking out daylight leading to a spike in energy bills.

The trees are adjacent to homes in Broadweir Road, Cwmbran and when in full Summer bloom, they leave many in darkness in their own homes, residents claim.

The 12-signature petition - to be presented to Torfaen County Borough Council - is calling for branches to be cut back in the interests of health and safety, residents' wellbeing and utility costs.

John Richards, 65, said that in full bloom, around 16ft of leaves from the trees block out all daylight.

"It makes me feel depressed and I have to put lights on all the time," he said.

"You want to sit outside and because it blocks off the light and it's cold and you have no heat coming through in the Summer.

"For anyone living round here in 20 years time, it going to be night time all the time".

Residents claim the issue has worsened in the last decade and that the trees are now more than 50 years old.

Mary Scrace, 75, said: "I had twelve big red bags of leaves in my garden and I can't move them. My son in law has to come over to do it.

"My electric bill is higher than my gas and it shouldn't be. Its terrible and it does affect you and makes you feel sad.

"You shouldn't have to have your lights on in the day and you should be able to come out and enjoy it. I wish I could go there and cut them myself".

While trees can act as a privacy barrier, 63-year-old Marilyn Richards added "there is a difference when it affects your life and light".

"If they cut them down it would help enormously," she said.

A Torfaen CBC spokesman said the trees were cut five years ago due to damage caused to a boundary fence by lower branches.

“While we appreciate the concerns raised by residents, the council’s current policy is to only undertake work to a tree that is dead, dying, diseased or otherwise unsafe," he said.

"As these are healthy trees we have no current plans to undertake any work.”

Cllr Elizabeth Haynes, of St Dials ward, added: "There is a tree policy and the council have already said that they're sticking to that tree policy.

"In this situation, the tree policy is being considered more than peoples' health and wellbeing and that isn't right."