Southend Green Party unhappy with 'avoidable tree removals'

The South East Essex Green Party has demanded talks with the council to highlight “the serious issues of its record of unnecessary and reckless tree removal” this year. 

The campaigners say residents have spoken up to question why trees are being removed.

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One tree in particular that has caused upset is in Southsea Avenue, Leigh.

The removal notice states: “The base of the tree is restricting the useable width of the public footpath. There is no arboricultural solution to this such as root pruning”.

However, the Green Party disputes the council’s claim that the trees are “incompatible with footway standards”. Activists believe this is caused by “negligence”.

Southend Council has refuted the claims, and is in the process of setting up a meeting with campaigners to discuss their concerns. 

Richard Longstaff, Green Party candidate for Leigh, said: “I understand that there is currently no director of highways, meaning there is a vacuum in leadership just as Leigh is having significant pavement works.

“This is leading to an unusually high number of perfectly healthy street trees being removed for no other reason than arbitrary and unchecked highways department decisions. It shows negligence and a breakdown of leadership and management of the teams responsible for our street trees.”

Southend Council strongly disputes the claims by the Green Party and said it was unfortunate for trees to be removed but it is necessary. 

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible environment, culture, tourism, said: “I can categorically say that the council does not have a ‘blanket highways’ reason for removing trees, this is a complete fabrication!

“The council is fully committed to planting more trees each year and our tree policy outlines how we are working towards increasing the city’s tree canopy. No one wants to fell trees, but sometimes it has to be done.

“We work hard to preserve nature but unfortunately there are times when trees need to be removed because they are dead or decaying or for essential safety works. Our first criteria is to ask if a tree can be saved by other works and adjustments in the highway scheme or to the tree itself. We will always look to keep trees and only remove them when absolutely necessary, for example, where the trees are diseased, causing damage to the footpath or where the width and damage caused means pedestrians have to walk in the road which is an obvious safety concern.

Southend Council's image shows the roots are pulling up the pavement (Image: Southend Council)

“I am in the process of setting up a meeting with Mr Longstaff so we can understand each other's positions better and so we can explain again how decisions are made. I am disappointed by some of the false information being communicated to local residents and I am very keen to set the record straight.

“I love trees and green spaces and I also care about people’s safety. I don’t want people tripping over roots or cracked pavements, I want to ensure pushchairs and mobility scooters have enough room to pass by safely, and I want to see more trees being planted across our City.”