Rail operators reach root of conflict over felling of Wirral trackside trees (From Wirral Globe)

Rail operators reach root of conflict over felling of Wirral trackside trees

8:00am Saturday 25th August 2012 in News By Geoff Barnes

WIRRAL residents and Network Rail have got to the root of a conflict over the felling of trackside trees.

The rail operators fell foul of people living in Kinross Road, Wallasey when they started chopping down leylandii, planted 30 years ago at the top of a steep embankment between their homes and Wallasey Village station.

Network Rail deemed them “potentially hazardous.”

Residents opposed the operation fearing their properties could be under threat from floodwater previously soaked up by the tree roots.

They also claimed they would lose the privacy afforded by the trees and that the network has failed to provide any proof of hazards.

Now, following talks between residents and Network Rail a compromise has been reached. Trees that have grown too tall and those considered to be unsafe will be removed and others will be cut back.

Those taken out will be replaced by more than 70 laurel trees and low shrubs will be planted on the embankment to enhance the environment.

Network rail will also look at improving or replacing the existing fencing along the station platform to provide extra privacy for residents as passengers leave the trains.

Wallasey Cllr Leah Fraser, who has backed the residents’ campaign, said: “Everyone was in agreement that Network Rail had allowed the trees on the embankment to grow far too high and that there had been no implementation of a maintenance programme.

“A further meeting has been arranged for mid-September – three weeks before the works start in early October – and Network Rail have agreed to my request to produce their plans in writing at the meeting.

“Apparently Mersey Rail have also previously complained that branches have fallen onto the platform/railway line, so I have contacted the chief executive and asked him if they would consider contributing to the cost of new fencing.

“The response was quite positive and I have invited them to our next meeting in September.”

Network Rail had previously suspended the tree felling operation until the end of the bird-nesting season in the autumn. It was due to re-commence next month.