Residents unhappy at Network Rail plans to uproot trees in Wallasey

Dec 21 2011 by Helen Hunt, Wallasey News

FURIOUS residents are trying to de-rail a train company’s plans to tear out the trees behind their homes.

Residents of Kinross Road in Wallasey say they were not consulted about plans to uproot the trees that line the embankment at the back of their properties and replace them with bamboo fencing.

They believe it would leave their properties insecure as well as killing local wildlife.

Bosses at Network Rail claim the move is necessary for safety reasons.

James Morris, whose two elderly parents live on Kinross Road, said residents were told by letter that work would start on Monday, December 19.

He said: “The trees were put there around 30 years ago to give residents a bit of privacy. Now they plan to cut them down and put in bamboo fencing.

“It looks pathetic. It’s not going to block the sound from the tracks and it’s going to destroy wildlife.

“This has all taken place in the last month. There has been no consultation with residents.”

Residents have complained to Wallasey MP Angela Eagle.

She told the News: “They should only take them down if they are sure that there is a danger to services.

“Network Rail should consider suitable replacements and keep residents informed of their plans.”

A spokesman for Network Rail, said: “We have a responsibility to maintain and operate a safe railway and these trees, because of their unstable roots, could pose a threat to this.

“One tree has already fallen and we have been advised that pruning the remaining trees could pose further problems at a later date.

“We have written to residents explaining the trees are potentially hazardous to the railway and neighbouring properties and they will be removed. Bamboo fencing will be put up to minimise the visual impact this will have on local properties.”