Michael Gove appoints UK 'tree champion'
The environment secretary, Michael Gove, has appointed a “tree champion” to stop the unnecessary felling of trees and boost planting rates.
Sir William Worsley, chairman of the National Forest Company which oversees the National Forest, has been appointed to support government promises to plant 11 million trees, plus a further 1 million in towns and cities. The move, part of the pledges in the government’s 25year environment plan, comes after a controversial tree-felling programme in Sheffield.
The Guardian revealed last month how Network Rail has a fiveyear plan to target all leaf fall trees from alongside its tracks for removal in a policy of enhanced clearance.
Tree planting in England is at its lowest rate for a generation, while the loss of existing woodland is happening at an accelerated rate due to weak planning laws, according to campaigners.
It is hoped Worsley will bring together mayors, city leaders and local government to prevent the unnecessary
felling of street trees, while
also backing the introduction of a
new duty for councils to properly consult communities before removing trees.
Gove said: “We have a responsibility to make sure the next generation inherit the woodlands, forests and trees they deserve. We are beginning to see good progress in growing tree cover, but we need to go further - and faster.”
Worsley said: “Trees and woods are an important part of my life, as they are to local communities. They transform our landscapes, improve our health and well-being and help grow the economy.
“I look forward to working with stakeholders and local authorities to promote these benefits and grow the country’s woodland cover.”
Jo Johnson, the transport minister, has called for a halt to tree felling by Network Rail during the current nesting system and set up a reveiw into the public company’s felling programme following revelations in The Guardian.
The review will report in the summer.