A long-time Geraldine businessman who called on the Timaru District Council to take action before the undulated footpath in front of his cafe caused serious injury to pedestrians is happy action is being taken.
On Wednesday Kokmeng Hui raised his concerns with Stuff about the troublesome brick pavement outside Papillon Restaurant and Cafe, in Talbot St, which he said posed a danger to his customers, passers by and himself.
The fence around the tree outside his business.
On Friday morning the council fenced off the area with a steel net with plans to remove the dangerous roots and level the footpath next week.
Hui, who first complained in August, said he was happy he had been listened to.
Papillon Restaurant and Cafe owner Kokmeng Hui gives the thumbs up to the action.
"I want to thank the council for acting so fast," Hui said.
"There are many people, especially the elderly who are now relieved."
Hui has been running his takeaway business on since 1988 and was frustrated by several attempts to have the tree removed.
He had been inundated with support from people in Geraldine for his case.
The council has also informed Hui that "the department in charge will remove the tree".
Geraldine councillor Kerry Stevens said he was "naturally happy" that Hui's concerns were addressed by the council.
He said Geraldine residents could look forward to more changes in the town centre.
"Later this year community board will be receiving a presentation for the upgrade of the entire Geraldine Town Centre, and I look forward to the rollout of that as well," Stevens said.