‘Green’ council accused of ‘eco-vandalism’ after felling wholesome timber to make manner for brand new cycle path
A ‘green’ council has been branded hypocrites for cutting down ten healthy mature trees to clear the way for a new cycle path.
Some of the trees were at least 40ft (12m) and had been in place for years, but have now been reduced to stumps.
The specimens had stood in the way of a cycle lane currently being built in Poole, Dorset.
It is part of a controversial £120million scheme to build a network of almost 50 miles of cycle lanes in south-east Dorset.
Dorset and BCP Councils have declared ‘climate emergencies’ and want to increase cycling to reduce congestion on the roads.
But in their ‘relentless’ quest to go carbon neutral by 2050 they have sparked outrage with the ‘act of eco-vandalism’.
Critics say that cutting down healthy trees for green travel was ‘ridiculous’.
Others claim the current cycle lanes on the same road are barely used and called the latest work a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Traffic cones on the side of the road where the trees used to be before they were felled to make way for a cycle lane
How the trees looked before a ‘green’ council hacked them down
An aerial view of one of the trees which was felled to make way for a cycle lane
Poole resident Bob Lister said: ‘I’m not anti-cyclist – I cycle myself – but the number of people who cycle on that road is minimal.
‘There was a cycle path there before and it was not used much. Have the council done any sort of survey to check how many people will use this cycle path?
‘The council say they want to protect the environment and wildlife, by chopping down trees for a cycle path they have done the reverse. It’s very hypocritical.
‘Birds would nest in those trees and they absorb the carbon dioxide, this policy is anything but green.’
Resident Pete Salmon said: ‘This is eco-vandalism. Surely there was a work-around solution?
‘I know trees can cause problems but they offer so much more. They can draw excess water out of the ground and if you start chopping down trees you can start getting flooding.
‘I cycle and drive and I can understand why the council are doing the cycle lane improvements, but some of the decisions are ridiculous.
‘Chopping down trees for it is just a big shame, the wildlife have lost their eco-system and it will cause drainage problems.’
Some of the trees were at least 40ft tall and had been in place for years but have been reduced to stumps in a matter of days
Poole resident Bob Lister said: ‘The council say they want to protect the environment and wildlife, by chopping down trees for a cycle path they have done the reverse. It’s very hypocritical’. Pictured: A stump which remains
How the trees used to look on the side of the road before they were felled
Resident Pete Salmon said: ‘This is eco-vandalism. Surely there was a work-around solution?’
Gregory Danks posted on social media: ‘Remember carbon neutral starts with getting rid of trees and putting tarmac cycle lanes in.’
Sandie Rogers said: ‘The council need to be held accountable for this, none of the general public are happy in regards to this, it’s criminal damage in my eyes.’
Mel Bennett added: ‘The irony of cutting down green, healthy trees to create lanes for people to use greener methods of transport. Who signs this off for goodness sake?’
Another resident said: ‘It seems nothing – not even trees – will get in the way of the council’s relentless drive to get everyone on a bike.’
The cost of the works on Ringwood Road in Poole is costing £17.5m. The whole scheme is being funded by central government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to improve green transport, make roads safer and reduce congestion.
BCP Council said Ringwood Road was ‘operating at maximum traffic capacity’.
The plans involve creating two new bus lanes, resurfacing the road, putting in a mile of improved pavements and the new 1.6-mile two-way cycle lane as well as new or improved crossings.
A BCP Council spokesperson said: ‘Tree removal being undertaken on Ringwood Road is needed for the construction of the new bus priority, walking, cycling and road junction improvements in the area.
Gregory Danks posted on social media: ‘Remember carbon neutral starts with getting rid of trees and putting tarmac cycle lanes in.’
The move has sparked outrage on social media with people calling it ‘eco-vandalism’ and saying cutting down trees for green travel was ‘ridiculous’
The whole scheme is being funded by central government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to improve green transport, make roads safer and reduce congestion
BCP Council said Ringwood Road was ‘operating at maximum traffic capacity’ – pictured is one of the stumps
Plans involve creating two new bus lanes, resurfacing the road, putting in a mile of improved pavements and the new 1.6-mile two-way cycle lane as well as new or improved crossings
‘The trees have overgrown the available space, and obstructed the existing pavement and cycleway.
‘We will plant replacements as well as additional trees and new landscaping as part of a carefully managed plan to ensure the new trees thrive and become part of a healthy landscape for years to come.’
Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, at BCP Council, said: ‘The removed trees were middle aged and from a variety of species including common lime, hybrid black poplar, rowan, ash, field maple, red oak and Turkish hazel.
‘The new trees will be installed in tree pits that will help them to grow healthily and crucially without the roots heaving up the pavement surface, which can create trip hazards for pedestrians.
‘The trees to be planted are a mix of field maple, crab apple, Scots pine, flowering cherry, oak, and small leaved lime.
‘They have the ability to thrive in urban conditions, their size, form, and characteristics to make a positive contribution to their surroundings as well as their value to wildlife.’
It is not the first time the council have come under fire for its controversial cycle lanes.
They upset homeowners in Wimborne Road by installing ‘cycling wands’ on a new cycle path to stop cars parking in it, but residents said it had blocked them in their driveways and made it difficult to pull into or reverse out of their driveways.
Locals also complained about controversial projects in Ferndown and Bournemouth. Glenferness Avenue already had established cycle lanes on both sides, but the council spent millions widening and resurfacing the paths.
Local businesses also claimed that the disruptive work in Ferndown had affected their ability to trade. Again many people said they rarely saw cyclists using the new paths, with any spotted usually on the road.
