A SCHOOLBOY has launched a petition to save mature trees facing the chop under plans for a new bus lane.

Christopher Page, 14, from Belfairs High School, in Leigh, got more than 200 people to sign his petition opposing Essex County Council’s proposals to bulldoze a grass verge, which runs along London Road between Hadleigh and Leigh.

The verge contains a row of mature trees that would be chopped down to make way for a new bus lane under the authority’s plans.

Christopher, who suffers from asperger’s syndrome, says the stretch of grass and trees is one of the prettiest spots in the area.

He said: “I don’t want the trees to go. It’s really nice and green down there.

“It’s a lovely pleasant field with views of the sea.”

Christopher decided to start the petition after his teacher, Angela Smith, told him about the council’s plans.

He said: “We were doing a lesson when my teacher got a phone call and she looked really sad.

“I asked her what was wrong and she said they are going to pull down the trees in Hadleigh.”

Mrs Smith, a learning support manager at Belfairs High School, said Christopher was a model pupil who had done incredibly well to overcome his asperger’s.

She said: “After I told him about the tree he sprung into action and produced the petition within a week. He has overcome lots of difficulties with his condition to become an active member of the school and the community. It is quite an achievement.”

Asperger’s is a form of autism, and sufferers commonly have difficulty with social reaction.

The council’s bus lane plans form part of a larger scheme to speed up transport between Sadlers Farm and Leigh.

The plans will see stretches of bus lanes created along London Road, as well as bus-priority signalling.

The council is due to vote on the proposals at the end of July.