Heritage Trees ‘has turned canalside into a warzone’
Contractor told the felling has caused ‘shock and outrage’
A MYSTERY contractor who turned a canalside in Hayes into a ‘warzone’ after uprooting muchvalued trees has been revealed.
Residents were ‘ up in arms’ when machinery destroyed vegetation along the Grand Union Canal, in Hayes town centre.
Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell shared the view of upset residents who watched the destruction take place last month.
Mr McDonnell, shadow chancellor and a member of the Hayes Canal Partnership, said: “I’m very concerned that these trees along the canal have been chopped down without official permission and that no one seems to know who by.
“As a result, residents will now suffer from less green space and a less enjoyable experience when walking along the canal.
“I’ve written to the developers so we can urgently get to the bottom of who is responsible for this act of destruction.”
David Brough, chairman of the Hayes Town Partnership spotted Heritage Trees Services carrying out the work which has ‘changed the vista beyond recognition’.
He penned a letter to the company, based in Uxbridge, to convey his alarm, shared by councillors, residents and the MP.
He wrote: “You need to know that the total felling of these trees has caused shock and outrage in the local community.
“The felling to ground level of every single tree on the Union House side of the canal has changed this vista beyond recognition.
“Perhaps almost as disturbing as the damage done to the environment is that I have established that most of the trees stood on land in the ownership of the Canal and River Trust, which has confirmed that they gave no permission for your company to enter their land or to carry out this work.
“It is extremely upsetting that a local company has been instrumental in bringing about such a drastic change in our town centre.”
Mr Brough has also written to Crowngold Properties Limited, which is currently carrying out conversion work to nearby Union House.
The Canal and River Trust, which owns the stretch of land, confirmed the trees were cut down without prior permission.
A spokesperson for the Trust said they shared the concerns of locals: “We’ve contacted the company developing the site that backs on to the water, and requested a plan for replanting and landscaping to be done as soon as possible.
“We also have evidence that some of the debris was left in the canal, so we’ve sent details to the Environment Agency.”