Beloved trees axed after becoming danger to pedestrians (From Echo)

Beloved trees axed after becoming danger to pedestrians

10:30am Saturday 13th October 2012 in News

A FARMER was forced to chop down beloved trees in Canvey after they became a danger to the public.

Up to a dozen poplar trees have been torn down at Brick House Farm, in Haven Road, Canvey, after bulldozers stormed the site on Tuesday.

The operation prompted a backlash from residents who gathered outside their homes in shock, claiming the appearance of the residential road had changed for good.

Jane King, Canvey Independent councillor for Canvey West ward, who lives down Haven Road, said: “It is such a shame and such a mess down there. I remember those trees when they were being planted as saplings.

“I have had a lot of residents calling me up who are extremely worried they are being taken down.”

However, Ron Norris, owner of the farm claims he was obliged to chop them down after they had become rotten and a potential hazard to motorists and pedestrians.

He had been advised by Essex County Council to remove them in the event they could cause an accident.

Mr Norris, 55, whose family have owned the farm for over 60 years, said: “The council asked me to chop them down because basically they had become a liability. Unfortunately they had become rotten and as they had grown so big they had overgrown the roadside.

“A few people have been up in arms about it. It is sad to see them go, because my father planted them many many years ago but these things can’t be helped. At the end of the day the last thing I would want is for one to fall and hurt someone.”

Mr Norris wanted to reassure residents he will be replanting new saplings in the coming months, which will be more appropriate to grow at the roadside.

He added: “Poplar trees are so hard to manage when they get bigger. It does look a bit of a mess right now, but once we take these down, we will be planting some new trees which will look lovely and be much easier for us to handle.”

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “Essex Highways understands the landowner inspected the trees and found that they were rotten and therefore cut them down.”

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