Highway team cuts down verge trees (From Stroud News and Journal)

Highway team cuts down verge trees

SCORES of trees have been razed to the ground near Whiteshill - provoking concerns from green campaigners.

Around 80 trees between 20 and 30 years old have been axed on the road between Whiteshill and Haresfield Beacon.

The work was undertaken by a team from Gloucestershire County Council's highways department.

Last month, the SNJ reported how highways workers had cut down trees on verges on the Bisley Road between Stroud and Lypiatt.

A spokesman from GCC said the authority had to balance safety and visibility with environmental concerns.

"Our priority is to keep road users safe and protect the public from falling branches, wet conditions or poor visibility caused by over grown tree canopy," she said.

"The stretch of road between Haresfield Beacon and Whiteshill was surveyed and a number of trees removed by professional tree surgeons as part of a planned programme of maintenance.

"The county council works closely with landscape and ecology teams to ensure we manage road-side trees in the best way for the road user and the environment.

"We believe this maintenance work will help to keep the county's roads safer and improve the magnificent views in that area."

But Ruscombe resident Philip Booth, who often walks in that area, said he was shocked by line of stumps that now line the lane.

"Tree felling along this lane seems excessive," he said. "More of the larger trees should have been retained."

"Mature trees help to mitigate carbon dioxide levels and tackle climate change.

"We should be having more of a debate about what is the best way to care for our beautiful countryside and roads.

"I understand there maybe another programme of tree cutting next year. "I am seeking assurances that communities will be better consulted about such plans in the future."