Under-threat war memorial trees are saved

WAR MEMORIAL trees under threat as part of Sheffield’s controversial street tree felling programme will now be saved, the council has confirmed.

The trees were originally planted in Western Road, in the Crookes area of the city, to mark the sacrifices made during First World War by men who had gone to the primary school that is still open on the street today.

Just over half of the original trees remain and of those 53, a total of 35 had been earmarked to come down as part of the felling programme currently on hold for talks between the council and determined campaigners.

The campaigners, led by artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, have fought for two years to save the memorial trees from destruction.

Mr Llywelyn Hall, who painted the Queen in 2013, said their message had finally “struck a chord with a faltering council hell-bent on the biggest street tree destruction in post-war Britain.”

“There would have been nothing short of a riot if they’d have moved in to take the Armistice Trees,” he added. Coun Lewis Dagnall, cabinet member for environment and streetscene, said 32 of the 35 trees will now stay, while three decaying trees will be replaced. Mr Dagnall said: “Residents have been clear with me that they would like war memorial trees to be treated as a special case.” Last year the council said it would cost them £310,000 in special “engineering solutions” if they tried to save the trees.

Now it has said the work can be done at no cost to the public purse, with contractor Amey picking up the expense.