Thousands backing fight to save trees
Reporter ELEVEN trees threatened with the chop to create a new cycle lane, have sparked a backlash.
Work to create the cycle lane on Great North Road in Gosforth, Newcastle, was due to start early in the new year but objectors have asked the council to reconsider.
A total of 2,825 signatures have been added to a petition calling for the trees and two stone-built bus stops to be saved.
Protesters have tied yellow ribbons around the 11 trees in danger of being chopped down between Broadway Roundabout and Brunton Lane to highlight their cause.
However, Newcastle City Council has claimed some of the trees need to be removed as they are in poor condition.
They also say for each tree removed, two new ones will be planted.
John Dockery, who helped set up the petition, said it will be presented to councillors at their meeting tomorrow.
He said: “This is yet another council project which local people simply do not want. People are furious that yet again the council planners seem to think they know better than all of us, and they think nothing of sacrificing priceless trees and a well-built old bus shelter to further their aims.
“Cyclists themselves have come out against the plans.
“Let’s hope the councillors and their officers can agree to re-think this one.”
Mr Dockery has arranged for the trees to be independently surveyed, after being told by the council that some of them were in bad health.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We have designed dedicated cycle facilities on the Great North Road, between Broadway and Brunton Lane, to make the area – a well-used cycle route, including by people riding to schools – safer for those on bikes.
“As part of the development we have identified that three trees, of differing ages and quality, would need to be removed for the project. A further eight trees, while not required for the project, may also be removed for other reasons, one of these trees we consider to be dangerous due to its condition.
“Two stone bus shelters, which are unpopular with many passengers – though apparently popular with others in the community – would also need to be removed and would be replaced by shelters that include seats.
“One of the three trees that need to be removed is a very young tree that we would replant and we would then be planting two more trees for every one that is removed.
“Work will not start until after councillors’ response to the petition has been taken into account.”