We paid heavy price over trees

3:23pm Friday 22nd February 2008

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YOUR readers and the residents of St John's Road might be interested to learn of our experience in Thorneyholme Drive.

One of the delights of living in Thorneyholme Drive in the 70s was the line of mature trees down one side of the road.

At some point, in the 80s, it was highlighted by a few residents that diseased trees could be blown down in a gale potentially threatening nearby properties.

In response to this, the authorities made a blanket decision, without consultation with other residents, that all the trees should be removed even though there was no evidence of disease in the majority.

Protests were made to no avail, but a promise was made that the trees would be replaced.

However, after the trees were felled, we were informed that county regulations did not allow planting of new trees in the pavements because they were no longer deemed to be wide enough.

Our pavements are slightly less than eight feet wide.

After much further protest, residents were offered small trees suitable for planting in their own gardens.

Several residents, including ourselves, accepted these.

Nevertheless, even though many years later these are maturing well, they will never replace the lost trees and Thorneyholme Drive has permanently lost its former attractiveness.

While recognising that there are real problems in St John's Road that need addressing, my warning is, that removing mature trees is an easy option that should be considered very carefully.

DAVID DENNE Thorneyholme Drive Knutsford