Protesters get the hump over plan to fell Camel Queen
PROTESTERS have occupied an “ancient” oak tree to protect it from authorities who they claim are misrepresenting its age to clear it away to accommodate a new road.
Yesterday, the group surrounded, scaled and encamped on a “Camel Queen” oak tree in Somerset, saying they plan to stay for “as long as it takes” to get a positive outcome.
The felling would make room for a slip road from the A303 between the Podimore and Sparkford roundabouts, in a £250million scheme approved by Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary.
Simon Bramwell, who set off for the protest from Reading yesterday morning, said he was one of “four or five permanent residents” camping in tree sits.
Some of the campers have been involved with Extinction Rebellion, he said, adding they were “most certainly willing” to get arrested.
Mr Bramwell said despite tree surgeons and engineers saying the tree was 600 years old, National Highways was “ignoring the evidence” so it could “get on with felling” it. He added: “To save an ancient tree that has seen so much happen to Britain... I consider that a form of duty.”
The protestors have made an unsuccessful High Court appeal to secure the tree’s future. National Highways said their assessment of the oak had put it at “around 400-450 years old” and not subject to any protection order.
A spokesman said: “We only cut back or fell trees where it is essential to keep people safe, protect the environment or... to allow us to improve journeys.”