More trees for the chop?

9:00am Friday 9th May 2008

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Councillor Matthew Offord is to be congratulated on his claimed excellent record he refers to on street tree management in the borough (Trunk road tree felling', Times Series, May 1).

However, all street trees overhang roads. We hope these will not face the same fate as the meticulously surveyed remains of the 500 substantial trees and saplings, including unthreatening Hawthorn planted in 1815, most of which were not even near the road.

A lack of consultation with ward councillors or even the Glebelands Nature Reserve volunteer force has clearly caused the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (updated) to have been ignored, including an environmental impact assessment should actual evidence exist of any danger to the public.

May we suggest Councillor Offord visits the site to understand the situation and the need for urgent remedial action and consultation.

Clive Cohen, London Wildlife Trust, Barnet Group joint vice chairman, Nature Reserves and Conservation