Residents fight to save five sycamore trees in Portsmouth road

FRUSTRATED campaigners are hoping to save trees in their road as part of an on-going battle with the city council.
By Fiona Callingham
Published 2nd Mar 2020, 12:14 BST
Updated 4th Mar 2020, 16:01 BST
Residents of Military Road, Hilsea, who are at odds with Portsmouth City Council which wants to chop these trees down. Eden Graham, 8, front. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-12)Residents of Military Road, Hilsea, who are at odds with Portsmouth City Council which wants to chop these trees down. Eden Graham, 8, front. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-12)
Residents of Military Road, Hilsea, who are at odds with Portsmouth City Council which wants to chop these trees down. Eden Graham, 8, front. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-12)

Residents in Military Road, Hilsea, were upset to find notices on five sycamore trees opposite their homes at the beginning of January telling them that they would be felled in a few days’ time. Roots are putting a nearby property at risk.

Since then neighbours have rallied together producing a petition of 80 signatures, resulting in contractor Colas suspending the felling.

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Residents of Military Road, Hilsea, who are at odds with Portsmouth City Council which wants to chop these trees down. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-11)Residents of Military Road, Hilsea, who are at odds with Portsmouth City Council which wants to chop these trees down. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-11)
Residents of Military Road, Hilsea, who are at odds with Portsmouth City Council which wants to chop these trees down. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (010320-11)
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Retired Maureen Horswell, who has lived in Military Road for 22 years, said: ‘We saw notices put up on the trees on January 7 to fell them on the 13th.

‘But they're supposed to give the ward councillors and residents enough notice – at least a few weeks before.

‘These trees are a great benefit to our road, they protect our properties. What they are proposing will take the a vital part of Military Road away. And there are all the issues around the city with greening.’

Her neighbour Eden Graham, eight, added: ‘I want to save the world and the environment.’

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Residents are asking for a public meeting to stop the felling.

Maureen said: 'We've been told there will be a drop-in session but all that's going to do is tell us why the trees are being felled. We have got to the stage where we're not being listened to.'

Hilsea representative Councillor Donna Jones branded the situation ‘a complete and utter mess’.

She said: ‘It's been frustrating for everyone.

‘Council officers sent out letters to residents without telling us.’

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Transportation cabinet member at the council, Cllr Lynne Stagg, said the roots of the trees posed a risk to homes.

'The five sycamore trees in this location pose a risk, through their root system, to an adjacent property, and there is a claim in connection with these trees against the council,' she said.

'Leaflets went out to residents in January making them aware of the felling and replacement of the trees, however the work was suspended on January 13 following concerns from residents.'

A drop-in session will be held on March 10 between 5pm and 7pm at the UTC Portsmouth in London Road.

Related topics:ResidentsPortsmouthDonna Jones

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