Plans to fell trees on a street in Barrow have been paused due to the upset it caused.
Westmorland and Furness Council has halted immediate plans to fell 19 trees on Infield Park in recognition that more discussion needs to take place to consider all the available options.
This comes after residents said they received a letter from the council on March 6 informing them of the proposed tree felling, which the council said was necessary for public safety.
Residents previously complained, said they had not been involved in any of the decision making.
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “Following concerns raised by the public regarding the felling of trees at Infield Park in Barrow, we acknowledge this has caused upset and as a result the planned works are being paused.”
On Thursday, March 14, local councillors Niyall Phillips and Roy Worthington met with a group of around 25 residents at Hawcoat Park Sports Club where they shared their concerns.
Councillor Phillips (Hawcoat and Newbarns, Conservative) said: “We were fortunate to listen to them and understood their concerns and what they wanted to take from it and fed that back to council officers who agreed to a pause to do a proper consultation with residents.”
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council added: “The council is looking to arrange a meeting with local residents where they can share and discuss their concerns with local members, the council’s arboriculturist and a representative from its highways team.”
Cllr Phillips said: “I think it’s good we’re taking the time to listen to residents, it’s residents that rightly raised their concerns, it’s them who live in the area and we need to make sure residents are rightly consulted and are aware of the plans.
“It is their, area, their community and they should be consulted on anything that’s happening in that street, they’ve got a lot of loyalty to the area, and you’ve got to respect that.”
The letter residents received from the council said tree felling and replanting would be taking place between houses 5-21 and 2-20 on the street.
It stated: “I am writing to inform you of tree felling works that we plan to undertake on the above section of the highway. Unfortunately, due to the footway damage this work is necessary to public safety.
“The large scale root heave in the footway means that repairs cannot be carried out without removing the existing trees. Footway construction works are due to commence in the next financial year.”
Local resident Joanne Fitzsimmons said although there had been a postponement of the felling residents ‘remain extremely upset and shocked’ that despite ‘numerous objections raised’ the council still wishes to proceed with the felling of 19 trees.
“The birds, bats and wildlife in the street will be eradicated overnight if these mature trees are felled”, Ms Fitzsimmons added.
Residents say they have collected a list of approximately 15 birds sighted in the last month on the street, which include a collared woodcock dove as well as a flock of long tailed tits and they also say the street has its own tawny owl.
They add the postponement has given them time to commission their own professional report which will cover all aspects of the trees and provide alternative recommended solutions regarding the uneven pavement, which will not involve felling.
