South Wales Echo

Residents’ fury as 60 trees are chopped down

- BEN SUMMER Reporter benjamin.summer@walesonlin­e.co.uk

RESIDENTS have been left fuming after Transport for Wales (TfW) chopped down several mature trees along a city railway line.

TfW confirmed to the Echo that work on the South Wales Metro project has resulted in around 60 trees being felled in the area of Danescourt in Cardiff during the past year, where work is currently being carried out on the Coryton to Radyr line.

And logs and debris from the felled trees has been left on site, to the annoyance of some residents.

A spokespers­on said the work was necessary to ensure trees did not overhang the railway and to prevent the spread of ash dieback, a tree disease.

Some residents say they were not considered; TfW sent a letter warning that works would run from March 16 to May 26.

There was no reference in the letter to trees being felled, but it included a link to online FAQs about trees being cut down for Metro works.

Frustrated resident Helen Stewart said: “Prior to this work, the railway could barely be seen from the path, so our pleasant walk is no more!

“The destructio­n of mature trees by Transport for Wales alone, is clearly cancelling out all the efforts by Coed Caerdydd and others to increase carbon sequestrat­ion in the ongoing battles against climate change and the nature crisis, particular­ly as the replanting is all immature twigs, which will take 25-plus years to mature and compensate.”

She said replanting “in no way” replaced the mature trees cut down. Another resident said on Facebook: “It’s bad for the planet and for everything on it. Makes me so mad.” One added: “I hope TfW planted a tree somewhere else for every one they’ve cut down.”

TfW says it won’t replant trees “solely for the purposes of screening [overhead equipment or exposed assets]” and the location of replanted trees will vary caseby-base and in some areas low growing shrub would be planted where the wildlife benefits were “greater” than replanting trees.

Some residents mentioned the fact it is nesting season for many birds. TfW’s website says it creates “safe zones” for nesting birds which remain in place until chicks have flown the nest and an ecologist confirms works can proceed.

A council source confirmed that TfW does not need planning permission every time it fells trees as the work counts as “permitted developmen­t.”

Ward councillor Sean Driscoll added: “Although not directly consulted as ward members, I know TfW did make contact with some residents, especially at the end of Radyr Court Road, where there’s been a lot of the tree felling work.”

He said it was a “real shame” so many trees had to be felled as part of the work, adding: “I know the upgrade electrific­ation of the network has greatly impacted residents who live close to the line. Especially residents of Fairwater Grove West, who have had to put up with the noise from 24-hour working during the upgrade. But thankfully that work has now stopped. The good news is Waungron Park, Fairwater and Danescourt Stations will be refurbishe­d, [with] work to start soon!”

A Transport for Wales spokespers­on said: “We understand the concerns raised about vegetation management and tree cutting, which can result in significan­t changes for those living beside the railway.

“Removing vegetation and trees is not a decision we take lightly, however, historic shortfalls of vegetation maintenanc­e on the Core Valleys Lines means were seeing big changes on our railway; with more vegetation being removed in some areas than has been for many years.

“There are two main reasons why we have had to cut back and remove trees along the line.

“The first is to make sure no trees or overhangin­g branches are within 3m of the overhead electrifie­d power lines being installed and the second is – due to a lack of sufficient clearance of vegetation in the past there is a significan­t build-up of trees and vegetation close to the railway line, and many of which are diseased or dying due to Ash Dieback and were removed to prevent the further spread of the disease.

“We do have plans to replant trees across the Core Valleys Lines network.

“We have purchased areas of land near the railway to re-plant trees and are currently looking at areas across the network where trees can be replanted safely.

“We’re also looking at ways to improve biodiversi­ty next to the railway line.”

 ?? ROB BROWNE ?? People living near Danescourt Railway Station, Cardiff, are unhappy that trees have been cut down near the tracks
ROB BROWNE People living near Danescourt Railway Station, Cardiff, are unhappy that trees have been cut down near the tracks
 ?? ROB BROWNE ?? TfW’s letter did not mention tree felling, but it linked to an online page that did
ROB BROWNE TfW’s letter did not mention tree felling, but it linked to an online page that did

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