‘Shocking vandalism’ as new trees are damaged
LESS than 24 hours after they were installed, a number of trees have been snapped and broken on a Cardiff street.
Police have confirmed that they are investigating criminal damage to trees on Wellfield Road which was reported at 11.40pm on Sunday.
The council carried out work over the weekend to install the trees and add temporary barriers to help local businesses on the Roath street, as they start to re-open. The new safety barriers and trees have replaced some of the on-street parking spaces.
They said the work was part of a pilot “to create safer spaces for the public in neighbourhood shopping areas”.
But by Sunday night some of the trees, which cost around £350 each, had been snapped and broken.
One resident said he saw two men arrive in a car and start snapping the newly installed trees just before midnight on Sunday.
He said: “I know some people aren’t happy with these changes, but this is not ok.”
Oliver Copleston, who lives on
Wellfield Road said: “I’m not even surprised.
“The countless arguments and fights I’ve seen people get into with Wellfield business owners just trying to abide by lockdown rules proves how fragile some people are to change.
“That being said, I do feel that the council failed to reach a good compromise in their final design which left a lot of people unhappy about the removal of parking.
“On top of that, they didn’t warn nor work with residents on the scheme, and only gave two days notice of a road closure.”
Another local resident described it as “shocking vandalism”.
A Cardiff Council spokesman said: “It’s really disappointing to see these new trees, which were brought in to enhance the district, damaged in this way.
“The affected trees were removed by council officers this morning and four new trees will now be reordered.
“We will continue to assist the police with their ongoing inquiries.”