OVERGROWN trees and vegetation alongside a railway line will be cut down, but the plans have left residents and councillors furious.

Network Rail has informed residents that several trees along the railway in Billericay will be cut down from now until March, for safety reasons.

However, Andrew Schrader, councillor of the Billericay East ward, has penned a letter to Network Rail and the Forestry Commission.

He said: "To be fair to Network Rail, they set out their reasoning in some detail, explaining the safety concerns, as well as the potential risks to people's properties but there were similar works undertaken by Network Rail in Billericay around three years ago, which caused much concern at the time, and it is understandable that residents do not want to see a repeat of what many felt was the disproportionate and heavy-handed tree felling that took place at that time.

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"It is also important to understand why these works are having to be revisited so soon.

"To that end, I have written to Andrew Haines, the chief executive of Network Rail, seeking certain assurances.

"I have also asked Mr Haines to confirm whether a 'community meeting' will be taking place. First and foremost, of course, I fully accept that passenger safety, as well as the safety of rail staff and the proper maintenance of trains and track equipment, is the top priority.

"I have nevertheless sought assurance from Network Rail that they will not be adopting an over-zealous approach to tree-removal, to the detriment of our local environment.

"I have also asked Network Rail to confirm that their works will take into account bird nesting season and that only reputable professional tree surgeons will be employed to undertake this work."