Leaf our trees alone!

12:10pm Wednesday 6th August 2008

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RESIDENTS claim the chopping down of more than a dozen mature beech trees in the heart of Urmston has spoilt the leafy look of the town centre.

Tree surgeons employed by Ask Developments - the company building the town’s new precinct - began work on removing six trees from Sumner Way last Wednesday, and returned the next day to remove a further seven on Crofts Bank Road near the new Sainsbury’s.

Ask said the work was necessary to make the access road safer and that new trees would replace them eventually, but residents were concerned the work had spoiled the character of the main road through the town.

“We were never informed they were coming to do this, and if I’d known I’d have said no,” said Arrandale Court resident Della Taylor.

“It’s changing the outlook of the street for the worse - the trees make this road! It’s just going to spoil the look of the area, and it’s such a lovely road. I think a lot of people will be shocked by this,” she added.

Fellow Urmston resident, John Reilly, who has lived in the town for five years, echoed those sentiments. “It’s taking away the natural greenery of the road, and for what reason? They’re not widening the road. I think this definitely will spoil the look of the street,” he said.

But management at Ask said the trees’ removal was necessary to make the junction at Sumner Way safer for cars, and confirmed the work was detailed in the original planning permission.

A spokesman added: “In order to provide a safer and improved junction in to the main car park and new Urmston shopping centre, a few of the trees on the outskirts of the redevelopment have had to be removed.

“The tree removal has cleared the footway and entrance to the memorial gardens and enhances the view of the war memorial.

“Improved landscaping, including newly planted trees, form part of the redevelopment plans submitted by Ask Developments.”