Stewards will now ‘remove’ protesters in tree safety zones

CAMPAIGNERS BREACHING barriers around trees earmarked to be felled in Sheffield will be “removed” by stewards, it has been announced today.

Amey, the company contracted to fell about 6,000 trees across the city under the Streets Ahead scheme on behalf of Sheffield City Council, said it is introducing new measures in the interest of safety.

The firm’s stewarding team will “take steps to remove people” who breach safety zones while protesting against the felling.

It will also record activity inside the safety zones, as part of the new measures introduced from today.

Dave Dillner, inset, who founded Sheffield Tree Action Group, said he was “disappointed” after hearing about the measures.

He told The Yorkshire Post: “I’m not surprised because I thought they would be scaling up the action. If any campaigners are commencing in any criminal offence, then that is their choice and they must accept the consequences “It seems the fear factor is now being employed even more. “I’m really disappointed but it’s no less than I expected.” Mr Dillner, 71, said the move would not stop campaigners from protesting. “This will only escalate the level of protest, beyond any doubt,” said. “That’s what I envisage unfolding from here because people feel very strongly about this.” Darren Butt, Streets Ahead account director, said: “Our first priority is to keep people safe and within the law by reminding them to stay out of the safety zones, so we can complete our work for the benefit of everyone in Sheffield. However, from today people who do deliberately obstruct our work on the highway will be removed from the zones.” Mr Butt said he welcomed safe and peaceful protests but that Amey was left with “no choice” to introduce the measures.