ALMOST 50 trees are set to be cut down across Southend, with furious residents insisting the council “only shouts about planting trees, not chopping them down”.

Since the start of the year. 43 “tree removal notices” have been placed on trees across the borough ahead of them being axed.

Southend Council stated it only chops down trees when absolutely necessary, adding that it is planting more than 700 new trees across the borough.

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However, residents have been left frustrated and have raised the question about “all we hear about are trees being planted, but how many do we hear that are being removed”.

Peter Lovett, of Shoebury, said: “We hear a lot about trees being planted recently, with the initiative from the Council to get to zero carbon, which is great, but how many do we hear about that are being removed?

“What is worse is, there are two beautiful, mature maple trees in Southend, that are being removed as the pavement is rising because of their roots.

“But, simply removing trees is not the answer, and I think it is crazy given how much pollution is in the air, and that we need mature trees.

“I think more can be done before removing the trees, it should be the last resort, more needs to be done to save the trees.

“It isn’t being highlighted either because it is something negative, only positive news ever comes out, you don’t hear the negative side.”

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, insisted the council will always attempt to save trees where possible.

She said: “The council is committed to planting more trees each year and our tree policy outlines how we will work towards increasing the city’s tree canopy cover to 15 per cent, which is equivalent to 150 football pitches.

“We are also planting 70 new trees along a main route through the town as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project and the council will also be planting 700 standard trees across the city this season as part of our ongoing commitment to the environment.

“Out tree policy sets out how the council manages its trees, including those unfortunate situations when trees need to be removed.

“Our first criteria is to ask if the tree can be saved by other works and adjustments in the highway scheme or to the tree itself and we will also look to keep mature trees and only remove them when absolutely necessary.