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Objectors in front of the poplar trees that Network Rail
is to cut down |
Rail crash fears mean estate loses battle to save trees
TREES that have sheltered an estate from railway noise for
50 years are to be chopped down next week despite residents’
frantic attempts to save them.
Network Rail says the diseased poplar trees on its land
next to West Hampstead Tube station are in danger of toppling
over and could cause a train crash.
But residents at nearby Broadfield estate in Broadhurst Gardens
claim that healthy trees are being axed along with diseased
ones because it will be more cost-effective.
Campaigners managed to have the poplars covered by a Tree Preservation
Order last year, but this no longer applies because the trees
are judged to be diseased.
One of the campaigners, Joanne Bush, said: “We are devastated.
They’re glorious trees that look splendid in the summer
and are a haven for wildlife.
“We’re just questioning how all of a sudden they’re
all diseased. We feel Network Rail is doing it to be cost-effective”.
Shocked residents were told by Network Rail last Monday that
all 28 of the 40-foot poplar trees and a horse chestnut must
be axed – despite a report last year by an independent
tree specialist stating that only 18 of the trees were diseased.
George Telfer, 84, who has lived on the Broadfield estate for
37 years, feels the trees have been left to decay.
He said: “Those trees have been here since before the First
World War. Some are in a bad state, but they have been neglected.
Trees should be looked after.”
A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “Safety is our top priority
and we have an obligation to protect the railway and those living
beside it.
“An independent report has shown that, sadly, many of these
trees are ageing and diseased and need to be taken down as soon
as possible.
“As a gesture of goodwill we have offered to re-plant 30
trees at this location, in association with the council.”
Ten of the trees are not diseased but have suffered damage.
She said: “They could be left, but would have to be extensively
pruned to fence level. They would just be sticks. They would
be over-exposed and open to be blown over by the wind.
“To remove any potential danger all the trees have to come
down.”
She added: “We have already commissioned an entirely independent
report which has been backed up by tree experts within Network
Rail, our contractors and the council.
“To delay the work any further would be irresponsible when
the trees have been repeatedly condemned as dangerous.”
Work will start on Saturday. |
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