City’s olive branch

Turning over new leaf on trees

IT MAY have taken a bruising night of election results for the message to sink in where years of street protests and a more recent national outcry couldn’t, but there finally appear to be signs that Sheffield Council’s leadership has started to see the light over its contentious felling of thousands of street trees.

Less than a week after the city’s ruling Labour party lost seats in areas most affected by the policy – and the Green councillor Alison Teal, who the authority attempted to have jailed for her part in felling protests, increased her majority from just eight to almost 1,400 – Bryan Lodge, the councillor responsible for overseeing the work, resigned as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

While alleged abuse from campaigners was cited as the reason, council leader Julie Dore also revealed both herself and Coun Lodge felt a new voice may help “achieve a satisfactory solution for everyone” as the authority’s contractor Amey conducts a review of how it carries out felling operations.

In stark contrast with a combative council statement in March that blamed “increasingly dangerous tactics” of protesters for work being put on hold, Coun Dore said she has been meeting with campaigners as the council continues to discuss “concessions” with Amey. She also insisted fewer trees than the 17,500 figure outlined in the contract will be removed.

Questions remain – for one, the council has admitted a “financial adjustment” will have to be made if fewer than 17,500 trees are replaced but won’t reveal how this would work. However, there is now cautious hope the authority has at last twigged a change in approach is needed.