Central Bedfordshire council has been accused of creating an eyesore by felling hundreds of trees that shielded residents from a noisy industrial estate.
Conifers that lined the Ampthill bypass in Bedfordshire have been cut down because they were damaging the road surface and causing drainage problems.
Work started at the end of last year and begins again today/Thursday January 11.
It means home owners are having to look out at ugly metal panels that have had graffiti painted on them as well as contending with the sound of a scrap yard, car workshops and the Midland Mainline.
Independent Central Bedfordshire councillor Gary Summerfield said: “It looks horrible. I feel for the people there.
“There was a letter sent to the residents, but it did not go exactly into the full extent of what was happening. All that is left are boards on the side of the scrap yard that have graffiti on them. “
He said the A507, which links the M1 with the A1, is a major route and the council has to ensure it is safe.
Councillor Summerfield went on: “The trees are being cut down because of drainage problems and their roots of the growing under the road. The gullies were being blocked and destroying the road surface.
“They should have been maintained over the years, but they weren’t. They were in danger of falling down.’
“I have lots of emails from members of the public. We tried to get it halted and took it to the director in charge, but it has gone ahead,
“We are talking (with council officials) about how best to mitigate the situation. Officers are looking ways to improve the situation for residents.”
A Facebook page has been set up called “Stop the Tree Massacre”
On the site Danny Denscombe said: “This is a classic case of the local council spending money unnecessarily. Does anyone know of a previous
A spokesperson for Central Bedfordshire Council said: “The works are being carried out for safety reasons and to protect the highway network from flooding damage and subsidence.
“These trees had developed naturally over the years on the side of a drainage ditch. It’s not a good spot for them to grow, for various reasons, and many were unstable and at risk of falling.
“We’ve nearly completed the tree removal and are moving on to the next phase of the work, making improvements to drainage in the area. We’ve seen with recent flooding how important that work is, and it will also allow us to better maintain the road surface.
“Meanwhile, we’ve carried out a programme of planting in the area over the past few years, looking closely at suitable locations to maximise tree numbers locally. We’re also considering what mitigation measures might be possible to offset the visual impact of removing the trees.”
JANUARY 2024 LINKS TO THE PAPERS
BEDS BOROUGH BULLETIN
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BEDS COUNTY BULLETIN
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696119#page/1
KEMPSTON CALLING
https://digital.magmgr.com/Preview/Index/2696127#page/1
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