COUNCIL chiefs have been called Scrooges after scrapping plans for a 20ft Christmas tree – claiming they are worried about health and safety.

Local businesses joined forces with Canvey Town Council to raise £1,800 for a Christmas tree near Jones’ Corner, Canvey’s second largest shopping area.

But plans for the tree, which would have been a permanent fixture at the corner of Craven Avenue and Long Road, have been scrapped.

Essex County Council said there were too many underground cables and utility pipes where the tree was going to be planted.

Mike Machin, chairman of the Canvey Island Traders’ Associ-ation said: “It is really unfair to stop a community project like this which had only the community in mind.

“I cannot see how any bah humbug person can do this. It is ridiculous, and I am tempted just to go out there and do it anyway.

“There are already two trees in the town centre. What’s wrong in putting one here? It seems like once you get to the Haystack pub, they just forget about the rest of the Island. It will get to the point that traders will be reluctant to get involved in the community.”

Robert Nash, 51, part-owner of Nash and Sons Butchers, in Long Road, Canvey, who planned to contribute to the tree, said: “It is very disappointing. The tree would have made quite a nice attraction.”

The town council said negotiations with the county council were muddled, as the plans were originally approved by the street lighting department, but later refused by the highways department.

Town councillors were frustrated by the communication from the county council, claiming they could have sought an alternative if the decision had not taken so long.

John Anderson, chairman of environment services at the town council, said: “Sometimes I think we get far too carried away with health and safety and red tape. I cannot understand why it took so long for them to get back to us.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said the tree was too big to go in a pot and could not be planted.

He said: “The council understands the feelings of the traders, but public safety is paramount. Any contractor working on the highway must comply with health and safety legislation.

“Essex County Council is happy to co-operate with traders to find an alternative location for the Christmas tree.”